Driving While Drowsy: One In Five Have Drifted Off
Sleep Foundation Wants More Education On Dangers
Posted: 9:24 a.m. EDT September 26, 2001
Updated: 10:10 a.m. EDT September 26, 2001
WASHINGTON -- Are you too tired to drive? A new poll finds many answer yes to that question.
One in five drivers admits to falling asleep behind the wheel. That figure comes from the National Sleep Foundation, which is trying to get drowsy drivers off the road.
A poll conducted for the foundation found that 20 percent of those asked admitted to falling asleep at the wheel -- and half said that they had driven when they were tired during the last year.
More than one-third of late-shift workers said that they drive drowsy nearly every day.
The poll finds that young men are the most likely to drive when they're sleepy.
The foundation wants the dangers of tired driving covered in drivers' ed classes and on driving tests.
The foundation also says that employers should do more to make sure sleepy workers aren't endangering themselves and others on the road.
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Copyright 2002 by . The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
