Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Drowsy driving leads to thousands of vehicle crashes each year. When sleepy, reaction time decreases and problem solving skills skid. Fatigue leads to falling asleep at the wheel. A typical crash caused by drowsy driving: 1) Occurs during the late night, early morning or midafternoon; 2) Is very serious; 3) Involves a single vehicle that leaves the road; 4) Occurs on a high-speed road; 5) Includes a driver that does not attempt to avoid a crash and is alone in the vehicle.

The loss of one night’s sleep can cause extreme short-term sleepiness. Loss of sleep by 1 to 2 hours each night can cause chronic sleepiness. Other factors that can increase or cause sleepiness are use of medications that make you drowsy (e.g., allergy pills, antidepressants), untreated or unrecognized sleep disorders, alcohol, and driving patterns, (such as driving for long periods without taking a break).

Today people sleep less than they did a generation ago. On average, a person needs 8 to 8½ hours sleep daily. Most people sleep 6½ to 7 hours. To avoid sleepiness and drowsy driving:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

• Don’t use caffeine or alcohol before going to bed.

• Don’t sleep with the television or lights on.

• Don’t drink even small amounts of alcohol when sleepy and driving.

• Avoid driving between midnight and 6 am.

• If feeling sleepy, stop driving. Let a passenger drive, take a nap, or some other safe option.

• Seek advice from a health professional for chronic sleepiness or if you can’t sleep.

For more information, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3612.