times are inconsistent with the natural sleep-wake cycle. The effects of sleep
The number of off-road deviations by the driver was 4 times
hours per week, and more frequently driving for one's job (McCartt et al., 1996). equivalent of two cups of coffee; taking a 20-minute nap, and after the nap, driving to
and crashes, the panel believes that shift workers' increased risks for sleepiness are
representing only about one-fourth of licensed drivers. or other measurable test is currently available to quantify levels of sleepiness at the
Panel members noted the possibility that more crashes occur on
Certainly, sleepiness can contribute
B. involves multiple vehicles on the roadway. the previous 24 hours, and fragmented sleep patterns. getting a ride from a family member, taking a cab, napping before heading home). Information could be provided to the public and policymakers about the
driving; in this context, raise public and policymaker awareness about drowsy-driving
midafternoon (Studies of police crash reports: Pack et al., 1995; Knipling, Wang, 1994;
performance, and normal mood (Dinges et al., 1997). wakefulness, the more pressure builds for sleep and the more difficult it is to resist
schedule. awake" to 7= "sleep onset soon"). As discussed in section II, the loss of
longer (Maycock, 1996). technology, alerting devices, industrial accidents, and shift work). in fall-asleep crashes. The panel
According to the NHTSA, the combination of _____ and _____ reduce the risk of serious crash-related head injury by 83 . Educate shift workers about the risks of drowsy-driving and how to reduce them. crashes, with a peak at 7 a.m. typical patients tend to be overweight and middle aged or older, with a large collar size
Educational
sleep. Sleep Loss ; Driving Patterns ; The Use of Sedating Medications ; Untreated Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Narcolepsy Educate shift workers about the risks of drowsy driving and how to
at-risk drivers who do not crash and about the impact of drowsiness on driving at all
one-third of drivers had needed or wanted to stop in the past year, but a rest area was
Job-Related Sleep Restriction. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. However, it is clear that these factors are cumulative, and any
followup survey, three of four Americans who reported getting as much or more sleep than
category for reporting sleepiness as a crash cause. drowsy driving if focus groups confirm their appeal. Nurses on rotating schedules reported more "accidents" (including auto
For example, capturing information on drivers' precrash
are unharmed in a crash, hyperarousal following the crash usually eliminates any residual
Virtually all studies that analyzed data by gender and age group found that young
To prevent drowsy driving and its consequences, Americans need information
Complementary educational messages to parents might
Although the need for sleep varies among individuals, sleeping 8 hours per 24-hour period
young men will recognize themselves in the picture of a chronically sleepy student who
The detection and management of illnesses
The panel believes that an initial focus on
typical crash related to sleepiness has the follow-ing characteristics: The problem occurs during late night/ early morning or midafternoon. Some of the crash-related factors have been studied more than others. commenting on the report: Mary Carskadon, David Dinges, Lynn Butler, Nick Teare, Toben
symptoms to diagnosis of narcolepsy averages 10 years (American Thoracic Society, 1994;
In a recent study, people whose sleep was restricted to 4 to
Consuming caffeine. shift workers in both the natural environment and the laboratory have shown that day sleep
A number of studies indicate that using certain medications increases the risk of
typical crash related to sleepiness has the follow-ing characteristics: The problem occurs during late night/ early morning or midafternoon. higher speeds involved (Horne, Reyner, 1995b) combined with delayed reaction time. performance of persons with sleep disorders compared with a control group. The crash occurs on a high-speed road. Sleep and wakefulness also are
The panel speculated that drinking
In driving simulators,
The reasons young males have more crashes than do young females
as a need for sleep that is present at a particular point in time. Messages to policymakers could promote the value of graduated driver licensing that
driving during this period for all drivers and especially for younger ones. to reduce the likelihood of excessive sleepiness and drowsy driving. of these types of crashes. normal. Although alcohol and some medications can independently induce sleepiness, the primary
whereas a rating of 15 or greater indicates severe sleepiness. In the United Kingdom, fatigue related crashes have been identified using the following criteria: The vehicle has run off the road and/or collided with another vehicle or object. driving risks. near-miss crashes than did nurses on other schedules (Gold et al., 1992). to sleep at 2-hour intervals across the 24-hour day. (Findley et al., 1995; George et al., 1987; Aldrich, 1989; Alpert et al., 1992; Broughton
Critical aspects of driving impairment associated with sleepiness are reaction time, vigilance, attention, and information processing. A study
with circadian rhythms that produces sleepiness in the afternoon and evening (Roehrs et
for longer times without taking a break. effective alerting device may prevent one crash, a driver who falls asleep once is likely
after several months (Ceutel, 1995). this context, raise public awareness about drowsy-driving risks and how to reduce them. 1994). In the 1996 appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Senate
impairment are neurobiological responses of the human brain to sleep deprivation. family, second jobs, and recreation often further restrict the hours available for sleep
Shift workers who completed a 4-month
they "need" said they were sleepy during the day. sleep loss. The panel identified three major categories in which more evidence is needed: Quantification of the problem. which people voluntarily adhere or can decide to ignore. sleep can reduce sleep debt. driver from falling asleep. 1 answer. However, this is not just a reporting problem;
As noted in section II, unlike the situation with alcohol-related crashes, no blood,
A single vehicle leaves the roadway. or sleep deprived. et al., 1987; Dinges, 1992, 1995). 1994). higher proportion of the most serious crashes are sleepiness related. crashes than did those with untreated mild apnea. The panel also designated shift workers as a high-risk group because the number of
Currently, many people with these
Personal Demands and Lifestyle Choices. The driver does not attempt to avoid a crash. B. involves multiple vehicles on the roadway. (Garder, Alexander, 1995; National Sleep Foundation, June 1997). percent of all sleepiness-related, single-vehicle crashes (Wang, Knipling, Goodman, 1996). Rumble strips
Figure 1. sleepiness is an underrecognized feature of noncommercial automobile crashes. These include sleep loss,
Interaction between alcohol and sleepiness. Older shift workers
hours, the scheduling of work and rest periods to conform to circadian rhythms promotes
The sleep-wake cycle is governed by both homeostatic and circadian factors. strips on the highway in the future could repeatedly remind people of the message. Such measures are often promoted as "sleep hygiene" and make intuitive
younger than 30 accounted for almost two-thirds of drowsy-driving crashes, despite
diaries (Douglas et al., 1990) and the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (Douglas et al.,
These rumble strips placed on high-speed,
likely to translate into an increased risk for automobile crashes. It is widely recognized that these statistics under report the extent of these types of crashes. Rumble strips act as an alarm clock, alerting drivers to the fact that they are too
commercial drivers show a similar pattern (see figure 3). effects on performance of sleepiness, sleep loss, and the combined effects of sleep loss
naps and the need for secure rest areas. The risks are higher with higher drug doses and for
Driving while sleepy
scientific rigor of all this material, original papers, reviews, monographs, and reports
NHTSA found that drivers had consumed some alcohol in nearly 20
uninterrupted sleep, which may help reduce sleepiness on the job and behind the wheel. Focusing an Educational
As
inattention, which is believed to be a larger problem.". Laboratory studies explain and predict these patterns. be used to assess situational sleepiness or to measure sleepiness in response to an acute
evaluate driver sleepiness. Driving while acutely tired, such as after a night shift, also increases the risk of
circadian effects. Expert answered| Mr.BreadMan |Points 167| Log in for more information. Scheduling a trip at another time is a simple way to reduce risk, especially if the drive
true No blood, breath or other measurable test is currently available to quantify level of sleepiness at a motor vehicle crash site.Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TRUECorrect!Explanation: Item found in Section 7.2 1. sleepiness decreases performance and increases risk, even at low levels of alcohol use. al., 1994; Horne, Baumber, 1991; Horne, Gibbons, 1991). public. In jobs with extended
Assessment for acute sleepiness. minutes) has been shown to improve subsequent performance, even among sleep-deprived
The ESS is not designed to
sense; however, few rigorous studies support all sleep hygiene claims. little is known about the knowledge and attitudes of this group regarding sleepiness and
management approaches is likely to be most effective. a fairly clear picture emerges from studies conducted to date of the typical crash related
Laboratory studies using a driver simulator or other fundamental tests that relate the
A body of literature exists on the mechanisms of human sleep and sleepiness that affect
higher for people with untreated narcolepsy than it is for people with untreated SAS. 1994; Wilkinson, 1968;
Across the 24-Hour Day, Figure 2. Many Americans do not get the sleep
ultimately lead to the inability to resist falling asleep at the wheel. same trend but also suggest that sleepiness may play a role in rear-end crashes and
Retrospective studies that compare crash histories of drivers with sleep disorders with
An active lifestyle that restricts sleep is a special risk. You can take effective steps if you become sleepy while driving. 1994). Some evidence exists that napping before a long
they feel too sleepy to drive. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institutes of Health. In one study (Carskadon, 1990), boys with the greatest extracurricular time
The crash occurs on a high-speed road. preteen boys, their parents, and their schools to influence attitudes before problems
strategy" that can get drowsy drivers safely to their destination. All drivers who experience the chronic or acute situations described in section IV are
of driving while drowsy, or unaware of the seriousness of the difficulty they may
Studies were performed in the morning
Sleepiness causes auto crashes because it impairs performance and can ultimately lead to the inability to resist falling asleep at the wheel. Although an
in about three of four fall-asleep crashes (Pack et al., 1995). greatest risk comprised the brightest, most energetic, hardest working teens. long enough to find a motel, call for a ride, or stop driving and sleep. Nicotine can improve short-term performance significantly
Their higher risk is based on (1) evidence from crash data of a
C. occurs on a high-speed road. Many
The presumption under-lying this test is that people who fall
Division Chief,
driven over a rumble strip in the past could personalize the risk, and even seeing the
Externally,
asleep faster are sleepier. effects (Kerr et al., 1991). Many drowsy-driving crashes occur at this time. In sleep apnea syndrome, brief interruptions of air flow and loss of oxygen during
awake (kerstedt, Ficca, 1997). attitudes, and behaviors will need to be examined. were more likely to report having sometimes or very often driven drowsy (McCartt et al.,
In the New York State
Eliminating stress from your life is possible.Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: B. FALSEIncorrect!Explanation: Item found in Section 7.1 3. before bedtime) (Richardson et al., 1982; see figure 1). risks for drowsy driving and effective countermeasures. conditions are undiagnosed and untreated, unaware of the potentially serious consequences
passenger drive or stopping to sleep before continuing a trip. The report presents the results of a literature review and opinions of the Expert
It is important to learn more about
Methods and Knowledge Base of This Report, Untreated Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Narcolepsy, Consumption of Alcohol Interacts With Sleepiness To Increase Drowsiness and Impairment, Interactions Among Factors Increase Overall Risk, People With Untreated Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Narcolepsy, Medical Interventions To Treat Narcolepsy and Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Educate Young Males About Drowsy Driving and How To Reduce Lifestyle-Related Risks, Promote Shoulder Rumble Strips as an Effective Countermeasure for Drowsy Driving; in
SAS or narcolepsy perform less well on driving simulation and vigilance or attention tests
family responsibilities, and school bus or school opening times. fragmentation cause inadequate sleep and can negatively affect functioning (Dinges, 1995). Scale (SSS) (Hoddes et al., 1973) is an instrument that contains seven statements through
Appropriations Committee report noted that "NHTSA data indicate that in recent years
Another strategy is to avoid driving home from work while sleepy (e.g.,
A
When a driver becomes drowsy, the most obvious behavioral step for avoiding a crash is
before driving is both easier and much more successful than any remedial measure reviewed. Based on the literature,
Younger males
true Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is not a contributing factor in the vast majority of fatal motor vehicle crashes. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
distance in millimeters from one end of the scale to the mark placed on the line. C. occurs on a high-speed road. that they had been involved in a motor vehicle crash, 40 percent of which occurred while
specially trained personnel and are not valid if the individual being tested is ill or in
The driver does not attempt to avoid a crash. Studies based on driver self-reports: Maycock, 1996; McCartt et al., 1996). In addition, a higher reported frequency of
How does a crash relate to sleepiness? CRASH CHARACTERISTICS Ceutel, 1995; Gengo, Manning, 1990). There is insufficient evidence at present
In a 1997
Researchers also have found
Research has shown that effective steps are available for both employers and employees
standing the concept of sleep debt could be useful, as could recognizing the
ethanol concentrations. impairment that could assist investigating officers in attributing a crash to sleepiness. Caffeine also is available
This similarity suggests the possibility that the researchers' initial
At the same time, this age group is at
rapid and suitable for repeated administration (Mitler, Miller, 1996). (McCartt et al., 1996). care. ever) in 20 minutes to fall asleep by brain wave criteria is the measure of sleepiness. In addition to getting adequate sleep before driving, drivers can plan ahead to reduce
shift workers and those suffering from jet lag adapt to and overcome circadian phase
with untreated sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and narcolepsy. Focus group research is needed to develop
as alerting devices, but they will not protect drivers who continue to drive while drowsy. In the New York State survey, the reported frequency of drowsy driving in the past year
higher speeds, attributing this finding to the effect of sleep loss on reaction time. Although treatment can improve
1994). A more informed medical community could help reduce drowsy driving by
higher after 8 hours of sleep time but 15 times higher with only 4 hours of sleep time. fall-asleep crashes. The
In
latency of return to sleep was measured. In another alcohol strategy variation, parents might allow
Changes in sleep patterns that reduce nighttime sleep or lead to circadian disruptions. drive even when they know they are drowsy and fighting to stay awake. crashes, on-the-job errors, and on-the-job personal injuries due to sleepiness) and more
Rotating shifts (working four or more day or evening shifts and four night
1996; Langlois et al., 1985; Lavie et al., 1986; Mitler et al., 1988; Horne, Reyner 1995b;
drift (Dinges, 1995). line that indicates how sleepy they are feeling. acute risk factors and frequently being on the roads during nighttime hours (greater
This
State of New York, David Willis
Common characteristics of crashes related to drowsy driving and sleepiness. Furthermore, a crash is likely to be an altering circumstance. The risk of a crash related to sleepiness increases during nighttime hours among both
of roads has not been studied. The panel noted that the wake-up effects from remedial approaches to existing
Figure 4. the usefulness of these tools. industrial accidents. Many also were unlikely to use a rest area when they were driving alone at
The panel recognizes that limitations in resources will not allow NCSDR/NHTSA to
likely to have such a crash than were drivers ages 30 years or older. caffeine equivalent to two cups of coffee may help improve alertness for a short period. Several approaches have been effective in reducing sleepiness caused by working
driving performance. The midnight to 8 a.m. shift
required for safe driving. Vehicle-based tools. of sleepiness have chosen ratings 1 or 2. departure; about one-fourth of those who had fallen asleep without crashing also reported
State, and nongovernmental agencies. Deputy Director
A single vehicle leaves the roadway. Pack (1995) and Maycock (1996) both conclude that a
et al., 1995). Effective countermeasures used to prevent drowsy driving and related crashes. In addition, the number of studies is relatively small, and some of the
Drowsy-driving crashes: Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. Weegy: A typical crash related to sleepiness occurs during late night/ early morning or midafternoon and is likely to be serious. during late night/early morning hours increases risk for all drivers because those hours
Relevant impairments identified in
life. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Anne T. McCartt,
Shift workers themselves can take steps to reduce their risks of drowsy driving by
The VAS is scored by measuring the
The crash is likely to be serious. Findley and
literature upon which the major concepts or opinions of the panel report are based. assumptions influenced the determination of crash characteristics. For example, performance appears worse with a 12-hour,
typical crash related to sleepiness has the follow-ing characteristics: The problem occurs during late night/ early morning or midafternoon. driving. These leaders may need information on the drowsy-driving problem and the special risks of
Although people with untreated sleep apnea syndrome may not be aware of the brief
Graduated driver-licensing programs that
sleepiness. Anchors for
For example, "asleep with
timing of sleepiness and wakefulness. could suggest that teens call a friend or a parent for a ride or let a friend drive home
colleagues' study (1995), 20 was the peak age of occurrence of drowsy-driving crashes,
The crash is likely to be serious. Because of the
be at greater risk than are early morning drivers who slept well the night before and
alertness, rather than demonstrate an intervention that reduces drowsy-driving crashes. Critical aspects of driving impairment associated with sleepiness are reaction time, vigilance, attention, and information processing. 4-day week schedule than with an 8-hour, 6-day week (Brown, 1994). Short-term work demands, child care,
roadways with speed limits of 55 to 65 mph (Knipling, Wang, 1994; Wang, Knipling, Goodman,
Ph.D.
Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a day, and teens need at least 8 hours. risk. markets, and continuous-operation factories prosper and expand. The crash is likely to be serious. A typical crash related to sleepiness occurs during late night/early morning or midafternoon and is likely to be serious. Although many shift workers are not in a position to change or affect their
et al., 1981; Broughton et al., 1984). Often, however, reasons for sleep restriction represent a lifestyle choice-sleeping less
The panel noted that the sleep-wake cycle is intrinsic and inevitable, not a pattern to
when shift work precludes normal nighttime sleep, planning a time and an environment to
Employers, unions, and shift workers are potential target audiences for education on
Want this question answered? and mortality associated with drowsy-driving crashes are high, perhaps because of the