Feeling tired? You might as well be drunk!

Monday, March 13, 2017

(WRDW/WAGT) – Didn’t get any sleep last night? You might as well be driving drunk.

As if the loss of an hour this weekend didn’t make things worse, a study shows that moderate sleep deprivation produces impairments equivalent to those of alcohol intoxication.

The study further states that after 17 to 19 hours without sleep, performance was equal or worse than that of a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.05 percent. After longer periods without sleep, performance reached levels equivalent to a BAC of 0.1 percent.

For comparison, Georgia and South Carolina’s DUI laws make it illegal for drivers to operate motor vehicles if they have a BAC percentage of 0.08% or higher. The DUI limits drop further if you’re under 21. If you have a CDL license, your BAC limit is 0.04%.

So, if you skip a day of sleep, you are legally incapable of driving.

Your judgment is also impaired. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep exhaustion slows your reaction time and decreases your awareness of your surroundings. An average of 100,000 crashes is caused by drowsy drivers each year.

Also, 55% of drowsy driving crashes are caused by drivers less than 25 years old. So college students, listen up, stop cramming and pulling those all-nighters!

Here are some signs that should tell you to stop and rest:

- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids

- Daydreaming; wandering/disconnected thoughts

- Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs

- Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes

- Trouble keeping your head up

- Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip

- Feeling restless and irritable

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that you get a good night’s sleep, take proper rest breaks if you’re driving long distances, and avoid alcohol and sedating medications. Plan to drive long trips with a companion, and consult your physician if you suffer frequent daytime sleepiness or have difficulty sleeping at night.

They also recommend you take a 15 to 20-minute nap before driving and drink the equivalent of two cups of coffee. For best results, do both.