Urgent warning over silent danger that kills more American drivers than alcohol
US drivers are being issued an urgent warning as a common road habit is responsible for claiming the lives of more than 1,500 people every year.
Whether you're commuting to work or doing your weekly grocery shop, most of us would be lost without our cars.
Yet despite its convenience, like most things in life, driving doesn't come without risk.
From distracted or speeding drivers to dangerous road conditions, tens of thousands of people get into car accidents every year on US roads, with there being almost 50,000 road fatalities last year alone across the nation.
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But there's another issue contributing to preventable driver deaths that people might not even realize they're partaking in.
In fact, millions of drivers are guilty of it each day - and it can be just as bad, if not worse, than driving under the influence of alcohol.
Nearly one in 25 American drivers admit to doing it, as experts warn the country is facing a hidden road safety crisis.
The practice in question is getting behind the wheel while exhausted.
New analysis from SleepJunkie.com highlights how deadly drowsy driving has become, and the specific times of day sleep-related crashes are most likely to turn fatal.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 1,500 deaths occur each year due to drivers nodding off behind the wheel.
Being awake for 18 hours can impair a driver as much as a 0.05 blood alcohol level, and 24 hours without sleep is equivalent to being over the legal limit. But while impaired driving often makes headlines, the risks of sleep deprivation tend to go unnoticed.
Certified Sleep Science Coach Meg Riley says: "Many people underestimate the risks of driving while tired, but the science is clear: sleep deprivation can be just as impairing as alcohol. When you get behind the wheel without enough rest, you’re not only endangering yourself, but everyone else on the road."
The most dangerous time to drive
SleepJunkie's study found the deadliest time of day to drive is between 6am and 7am, with surrounding hours - 5am and 7am - also deemed high-risk.
Road conditions also contribute, with poorly lit roads making drowsy driving even more dangerous.
Rain, fog, and early dawn light were commonly linked to fatal crashes.
The research also crunched six years of data and found that Wyoming had the highest rate of fatal sleep-related crashes, accounting for nearly nine percent. Long, isolated roads, harsh winters and limited rest stop amenities likely contribute to these numbers.
Vermont, Colorado and Texas followed at around 6 percent.
Texas’s ranking is linked to its many dangerous highways, a factor shared with other top states like Alabama, Kansas, and Colorado.
How to avoid drowsy driving
Meg highlights the importance of prioritizing sleep ahead of long trips, with her saying between seven to nine hours of shut-eye is ideal ahead of long trips.
If you can help it, avoid peak 'danger hours' - so, early mornings - especially after a poor night’s rest.
And when you are driving, it's important to stay stimulated, perhaps by listening to engaging audio, scheduling calls with friends or family and sharing driving duties if you can.
In the meantime, be aware of warning signs including frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, or drifting lanes - these mean it’s time to pull over.
Meg also urges drivers to take a break every two hours, or every 100 miles.
She recommends relying on rest stops over willpower.
"Coffee and energy drinks can only do so much; real rest is the safest solution," she says. "The good news is that these tragedies are preventable. Getting adequate sleep, knowing when to pull over, and recognizing the signs of drowsiness can dramatically reduce risk.
"Just like we have campaigns against drunk driving, we need the same urgency for drowsy driving; it’s a public health issue that affects every commuter, traveler, and family on the road."
Ellie Kemp