drowsy driving

As Dangerous as Drunken Driving

Submitted by Koala Center for Sleep Disorders

ow that summer driving season has arrived, families take to the roads for their family vacations. Many travelers will brave congested highways and spend long hours behind the wheel, making safe driving difficult for even the most alert driver. According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA), summer is the deadliest time of year for drivers. As families set out for their vacation destinations, its very important to recognize the dangerous and even deadly effect that drowsiness has on driving. The NHTSA reports that more than 100,000 police-reported motor vehicle accidents occur in the United States each year due to drowsiness; this number is likely an underestimation of the total number of fall-asleep car crashes in this country, because undoubtedly there are many accidents (particularly single-car crashes) that are never reported. Due to these 100,000 crashes, roughly 40,000 injuries occur every year, and 1,550 people die per year. A recent survey of more than 1,000 Americans by the National Sleep Foundation found that 57 percent had driven while drowsy in the past year and 23 percent had fallen asleep at the wheel. Even more disturbing, the survey says that transportation industry workers whose sleep patterns and time zones are constantly changing (think truck drivers or airline pilots) are particularly susceptible to sleep disorders. Those more at risk for drowsy-driving include people under 25, shift workers working more than 60 hours a week, commercial drivers, business travelers, and people with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. The National Sleep Foundation contends that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunken driving, and that there is little awareness of the problem. Studies show that being drowsy behind the wheel can have the same effects as being drunk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that driving with untreated sleep apnea is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.06 to 0.08, which in many states spells possible criminal punishment. There are several signs to indicate fatigue while driving, though many people may not associate the symptoms with fatigue or sleepiness and continue to drive when they should stop. Some signs that should tell a driver to stop and rest include: difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy eyelids, turning on the radio or air conditioning to keep you alert, drifting from your lane, missing exits, and trouble remembering the last few miles driven. Eating sugar, cranking up a stereo, or rolling down the windows while driving may help keep eyes open, but typically increase problems. Even if you manage to stay awake, sleep experts say drowsiness causes slower reaction times, vision impairment, lapses in judgment and delays in processing information, which are all critical elements for safe driving. Sleep-disordered breathing, commonly known as sleep apnea, affects more than 18 million people in the United States; however, 90 percent of those who suffer are undiagnosed. Obstructive sleep apnea, involves brief interruptions of breathing during sleep as many as 20 to 60 times per hour. By fragmenting nighttime sleep, it can produce daytime sleepiness. The condition occurs when muscles that stiffen and open the throat relax and narrow the breathing passage, making breathing difficult. The obstructed airway can cause breathing to stop,
Page 12 Healthy Cells Magazine Bloomington July 2013

leading to decreased oxygen in the bloodstream. Over a period of time, it can cause serious medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, an enlarged heart, heart attack, or stroke. Other problems may include depression, weight gain, and diabetes. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include: snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, waking unrefreshed, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, short-term memory loss, and morning headaches. Remember, sleepy drivers can be as dangerous as drunk drivers! Most of us wouldnt even think of having a few cocktails and taking the family out for a drive. Please dont drive drowsy and if you suspect you or someone you know has a sleep disorder, please consult a sleep specialist. For more information, contact Dr. Tara Griffin at the Koala Center for Sleep Disorders. Dr. Griffin is a general dentist focusing on treatment of snoring, sleep apnea, TMJ Disorders, facial and neck pain with oral appliance therapy. For more information, please call 309-319-6568 or visit www.taragriffindmd.com.