Which Is Worse: Drowsy Driving Or Drunk Driving?

We are all aware of the dangers of driving drunk. Driving drowsy is just as risky as drunk driving, yet it seldom receives much attention. So, how is drinking while driving as dangerous as sleeping behind the wheel?

People who suffer from sleep apnea or get less than six hours of sleep per night are more likely to drive drowsy or fall asleep behind the wheel. Moderate sleep deprivation produces impairments in cognitive and motor performance similar to legally prescribed levels of intoxication. In fact, both double the driver’s crash risk.

So, which is worse? Drunk driving or drowsy driving?

What Is Drowsy Driving?

Have you ever driven while you fall asleep? Drowsy driving happens when a motorist is falling asleep behind the wheel. In this scenario, he becomes weary of being attentive. This makes the driver less conscious of his environment.

Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation can cause drowsy driving. Thus, it is a significant problem that endangers drivers and others on the road.

The Dangers And Risks Of Drowsy Driving

Tragic mishaps often occur, leaving behind hurt people and devastated families. This implies that he who sleeps off while driving could cause accidents leading to injuries or even death. Hence, the drunk diver will end up facing criminal penalties.

Signs Of Drowsy Driving To Look Out For

The following are warning signs of drowsy driving. National Sleep Foundation warns that these symptoms harm the drowsy driver and those around.

• Frequent yawning and twitching
• Restlessness or irritability
• Having trouble maintaining your lane
• Poor recall of the last few miles
• Aggressiveness
• Swerving between lanes
• Hitting a rumble strip
• Disobeying traffic signs
• Missing signs and forgetting exits
• Dodging speed bumps
• Daydreaming or poor concentration
• Tailgating

What Is Drunk Driving?

Drunk driving is sometimes called driving while intoxicated (DUI). It is the practice of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) legal limit of 0.08%. This is because even a little alcohol can cause bad things to happen. So, the situation is risky even if a drunk driver does not exhibit obvious signs of intoxication.

Most individuals are unaware that alcohol impairment produces an effect on cognitive and motor performance. Hence, it’s crucial to keep in mind that being drunk behind the wheel can affect the driver’s ability. Ever drove under alcohol intoxication? We hope not!

The Dangers And Risks Of Drunk Driving

The dangers of driving drunk are pretty high for the motorist. First, the car may be towed and seized if you are caught. There may be license suspensions and fines imposed by the court too. Thus, a suspended license restricts your capacity to live a regular life.

To prevent this, the driver may be required to complete court-ordered rehabilitation. This is a helpful program that works with criminals to address their addiction issues.

Drunk drivers are found guilty and given jail sentences because many drunk driving incidents tragically result in death. Is it worthwhile to risk 30 months in prison for a crime that you can prevent?

Statistics Of Drowsy Driving And Drunk Driving

In 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that sleepy driving led to about 72,000 collisions, 44,000 injuries, and 846 fatalities. Though, the actual figures are higher. Drivers are reluctant to confess that they had fallen asleep or that tiredness contributed to it, making it difficult to determine the exact cause of a crash.

In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that drowsy driving contributed to at least 91,000 auto accidents, 50,000 injuries, and 795 fatalities. These statistics have been relatively steady year after year. Another research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that sleepy driving contributed to around 7% of all collisions and 16.5% of fatal crashes. According to rigorous investigation, experts think the number of sleepy driving-related fatalities per year in the U.S. is close to 6,000.

In essence, tiredness contributes to around 21% of fatal crashes year. The estimated annual cost of drowsy driving in the U.S. ranges from $12.5 billion to $109 billion between hospital admissions, property damage, and other expenditures.

On the other hand, alcohol was allegedly implicated in 9,949 fatal crashes in 2017 or over 30% of all fatal collisions. Blood alcohol content levels make it very simple to assess the effects of drinking. But it can be more challenging to characterize sleep deprivation. Because most people are unwilling to acknowledge they were driving while fatigued, experts feel that drowsy driving accounts for other circumstances.

How To Recognize A Drunk Driver

Drunk drivers often have unsafe driving behaviors because they are impulsive, unrestrained, and overconfident. Below are warning signs and attitudes drunk drivers may display:

• Speeding
• Swerving
• Ignoring road signs
• Decrease hand-eye coordination
• Impaired eyesight
• Slow reaction time
• Skew your judgment of distance and high speed
• Causes dizziness
• Hitting rumble strips
• Alcohol may also increase your propensity for risk-taking, which may put you and others in danger

How To Prevent Drowsy Driving

These are the top ways to avoid drowsy driving while behind the wheel.

1. Recognize The Signs

Sleep foundation recognizes drowsy driving by frequent yawning or blinking, heavy eyelids, difficulties focusing, daydreaming, memory loss, restlessness, and trouble remaining in your lane.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Enough sleep is a necessity that cannot be substituted. Drowsiness happens because of accumulated sleep debt. So, you must aim for between seven hours and nine hours of sleep every night. The more hours of sleep you miss will affect your ability to think and function well.

Also, drivers should refrain from starting long journeys after a night of little sleep. Speak to your doctor about treatment options if you snore or experience other signs of a sleep disorder, such as feeling drowsy during the day.

3. Take Periodic Breaks

Long periods spent driving and sitting in a motor vehicle are draining. Thus, it is wise to take regular breaks. You can regain focus when you get out of the car and go for a little stroll. In addition, long-distance drivers should stop for a little snooze every four hours.

However, a short nap shouldn’t last over 20 minutes because doing so might make you sleep while driving.

4. Eat And Drink Right

Eating a large amount of driving on an empty belly has an impact. Drivers should take enough water during long travels rather than alcohol. Drinking enough water might keep drivers more awake.

Also, always avoid the wheel after taking some drugs. Many over-the-counter or prescription drugs can potentially cause drowsiness or poor attention. So, it is best to avoid taking medications that will cause you to sleep.

5. Consume Energy Drinks And Coffee

Taking caffeinated beverages can temporarily increase attentiveness and make you stay wide awake. However, after the body fully metabolizes caffeine, it can make people feel exhausted.

6. Chew Gum Or Candy

Sugar candies provide drivers with a short-term added boost. Plus, chewing gum can improve blood flow to the brain and temporarily lessen the consequences of lack of sleep. But do not rely on it for long. Drowsiness might recur as blood sugar levels can change.

How To Prevent Drunk Driving

These are the top strategies for avoiding drunk driving when you get behind the wheel.

1. Take The Night Off From Drinking Alcohol

If you’re driving for the night, avoid drinking alcohol. Make yourself a mocktail out of pomegranate juice and sparkling water if you truly feel you’re missing out.

2. Stop Drinking At Least 90 Minutes Before You Leave

Establish a cutoff period for drinking that is many hours before your departure. When you stop drinking, alcohol will still be present in your body for hours. Plan and start counting from when you want to leave to be on the safe side. After 10:30 p.m., avoid drinking. Then you won’t need to wait till 2 in the morning for your buzz to subside.

Who Is More Likely To Drive Drowsy?

• Drivers who are sleep deprived.
• Commercial drivers who drive buses, tractor trailers, and tow trucks.
• Shift workers (work the night shift or long shifts) or professional drivers.
• Those who drive while suffering from an untreated sleep disorder. Such problems are those whose breathing alternately stops and starts (sleep apnea).
• Drivers who are under the effects of sleep medicine.

How Does Drunk Driving Compare To Drowsy Driving?

Although they are not the same, driving drowsy and intoxicated are risky. Commercial drivers wouldn’t get behind the wheel when drunk. But they would not hesitate to fall asleep behind the wheel. Alas, it occurs frequently.

These conditions affect performance impairment, decision-making, and reaction time. In controlled investigations where sleep loss could be measured, the number of car accidents caused by alcohol intoxication and sleepy driving was comparable.

Final Thoughts

Driving when drowsy is unsafe. It may be even riskier than driving when drunk. To stay awake while driving, try some of the preventive measures above. Also, if you often experience some forms of sleep disorders, visit your doctor.