It is estimated that 56,000 crashes associated with driver drowsiness/fatigue occur annually on U.S. highways, resulting in 40,000 non-fatal injuries and 1,544 fatalities as cited on Police Accident Reports. This represents 3.6% of all fatal crashes annually.

Sources: Peters, RD et al., Effects of Partial and Total Sleep Deprivation on Driving Performance, FHWA Publication RD-94-046. NCSDR/NHTSA 1997 Report, Drowsy Driving and Automobile Crashes - Expert Panel on Driver Fatigue and Sleepiness.

The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) has had Operator Fatigue on its "Most Wanted" Safety Improvements List since the list began in 1990. There have actually been about 80 fatigue-related safety recommendations issued to the different modal -- aviation, railroad, marine, highway, and pipeline -- administrations within the Department of Transportation (DOT), to transportation operators, associations, and unions since 1972.

Source: Remarks by Jim Hall, Chairman NTSB before the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Symposium on Driver Fatigue, Bend Oregon, November 21, 1996.

Drowsy-Driving Crash Profile

• Occurs during the Late-Night Hours
• Occurs on a High-Speed Highway
• Single-Vehicle Roadway Departure
• Driver is Alone in the Vehicle
• The Crash is Likely to be Serious
• No Corrective Action is Taken to Avoid Crashing
• Driver is Male under the age of 30

Source: NCSDR/NHTSA 1997 Report, Drowsy Driving and Automobile Crashes - Expert Panel on Driver Fatigue and Sleepiness. (web copy of this report: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/perform/human/Drowsy.html)

"Knipling and Wang (1995) found that drivers younger than 30 accounted for almost two-thirds (66%) of drowsy-driving crashes, despite representing only about one-fourth (25%) of licensed drivers" - NCSDR/NHTSA 1997 Report, Drowsy Driving and Automobile Crashes, p 17.

Signs of Sleepiness Behind the Wheel

• Frequent Yawning
• You find yourself having trouble keeping your eyes open or focusing your vision
• You have trouble keeping your head up
• You find yourself drifting across lanes
• You have difficulty maintaining a constant speed
• You have no memory of the roadway for the last couple of minutes
• You feel sleepy or drowsy

Do not continue driving. Pull over and let someone else who has slept and is alert drive.

Source: The National Sleep Foundation's (http://www.sleepfoundation.org) "Drive Alert...Arrive Alive" Campaign.

Strategies to Keep You Awake at the Wheel

• Plan ahead to get adequate sleep on the 1-2 nights preceding any long drive.
• Avoid driving late at night (12am-6am) during what would be your usual sleep time.
• Have another driver in the car with you on any long drive who can take over if you become sleepy.

Strategies that DO NOT Keep a Sleepy Driver Awake

• Opening the windows to let fresh air into the vehicle
• Shaking your head vigorously
• Turning on the radio
• Activity -- Getting out of the car to walk around
• Continuing to drive through your sleepiness

Strategies that Can BRIEFLY Moderate Your Level of Sleepiness

• Pulling over to nap for 15-20 minutes
• Consuming 2 cups of percolated coffee

(Sources: NCSDR/NHTSA 1997 Report, Drowsy Driving and Automobile Crashes - Expert Panel on Driver Fatigue and Sleepiness. National Sleep Foundation, Drive Alert...Arrive Alive Campaign Brochure.)

The most consistent factor influencing driver fatigue and alertness level in a recently completed 7-year, $4.5 million study by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was TIME OF DAY. Not too surprisingly, driver drowsiness is markedly increased at night during what should be the individual's sleep period. The peak period for driver drowsiness is from late evening until dawn.

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