Asleep at the Wheel: The Prevalence and Impact of Drowsy Driving

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Asleep at the WheelThe Prevalence and Impact of
Drowsy Driving
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Background

• Most past studies of crash data estimate roughly
  1 - 4 of crashes involve a drowsy driverBUT
• Many researchers believe that official
  statistics underestimate the prevalence of drowsy
  drivingAND
• A few studies using different data and methods
  have suggested that the prevalence of drowsy
  driving may be much higher

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The Study
Published November 8, 2010
Available online at www.AAAFoundation.org
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Part I Prevalence of Drowsy Driving among Drivers
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Method

• Data collected as part of the AAA Foundations
  2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index
• Nationally-representative telephone survey of
  2,000 U.S. residents 16 and older, conducted May
  11 June 7, 2010
• Asked respondents about experiences with falling
  asleep at the wheel and general drowsy driving

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Key Findings

• 41 reported having fallen asleep or nodded off
  while driving at least once in their lifetime
• 11 in past year
• 4 in past month
• 27 said they had driven while they were so
  sleepy that they had a hard time keeping
  their eyes open in the past month

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Additional Findings

• Men much more likely than women (52 vs. 30) to
  report having fallen asleep while driving
• Only 21 reported they had been driving for three
  hours or more when they fell asleep at the wheel
  59 said they had been driving for less than an
  hour before falling asleep
• Only 28 said they felt sleepy when they started
  driving 71 said they felt awake enough to drive

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Part II Proportion of Crashes Involving a Drowsy
Driver
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Method

• Analyzed data from nationally-representative
  sample of crashes in which a car, light truck,
  van, or SUV was towed
• Years 1999 2008
• Sample included 80,821 vehicles involved in
  47,597 crashes
• Drowsiness unknown in 45 of cases ? used
  statistical technique of multiple imputation to
  estimate proportionthat were drowsy

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of Crashes that Involved a Drowsy Driver
Data Representative sample of 47,597 crashes in
which a passenger vehicle was towed, 1999 2008.
(National Automotive Sampling System
Crashworthiness Data System, compiled by National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Missing
values of drowsiness imputed 10 times and
averaged.
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Additional Findings

• Drivers 16-24 years old nearly twice as likely
  to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as
  drivers ages 40
• Two out of three drivers involved in a drowsy
  driving crash were men
• Drivers travelling alone nearly 2x as likely to
  be in drowsy driving crash compared to drivers
  with passengers
• 57 of drowsy driving crashes were single
  vehicle crashes where driver drifted out of lane
  or off road

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Tips for Avoiding Drowsy Driving

• Get at least 6 hours of sleep the night before a
  long trip (preferably 8 no less than 6)
• Travel at times you are normally awake stay
  overnight en route instead of trying to drive
  straight through
• Schedule a break every 2 hours or 100 miles
• Dont work all day and drive all night
• Travel with a passenger who is awake
• Drink a caffeinated beverage, but remember that
  it takes 30 minutes for effects to kick in

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For more information, go to AAAFoundation.org
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The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a
501(c)(3) public charity located in Washington,
DC that is dedicated to saving lives and reducing
injuries. It is supported by donations from
AAA/CAA Clubs, AAA/CAA members, and other
organizations associated with AAA/CAA.