January 24, 2021

What's Worse: Driving Drowsy or Driving Drunk?

What's Worse: Driving Drowsy or Driving Drunk?

While drunk driving is more severe, drowsy driving is still a serious and often ill-considered risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013.


Drowsy driving is most likely to occur between midnight and 6 AM and also in the late afternoon. This is due to a dip in our circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep cycle. Crashes from drowsy driving also tend to be worse than crashes from drunk driving because when you're asleep you're not even trying to brake.


Sleep apnea can also play a major part in drowsy driving. Just in the past two years, there have been two separate commuter train collisions. Both of them due to the engineer not getting enough sleep because of sleep apnea.


If you are ever tired at the wheel, pull over and take a quick power nap. Better to be late and safe than risk your life or the lives of others. If you feel that sleep apnea is preventing you from getting sleep, make an appointment today and we'll be happy to help.

Remember: Don't Drive Drowsy!!!