We are pleased to publish the following guest post from Ellie Porter, the managing editor of SleepHelp.org

Sleep-Related Accidents: Who's at Risk and How to Prevent Them

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 795 people were killed in sleep-related accidents in 2017. However, that number is only a small fraction of the lives affected by drowsy driving. Police reports put the number of suspected drowsy driving accidents at 91,000 with nearly 50,000 injuries each year. 

People in certain age demographics and occupations are at an increased risk of driving while drowsy. Better awareness around this issue can help these drivers prioritize sleep so they don’t find themselves struggling while behind the wheel.

High-Risk Age Demographics

Two age demographics tend to be at higher risk for drowsy driving—teens and the elderly. Teens are notorious for staying up and sleeping in late. Active social lives are often blamed, but the problem lies in part with changes in the timing of the adolescent sleep cycle. 

Many teens experience a condition called sleep phase delay in which the start of the sleep cycle shifts by two hours. Instead of feeling tired at 9 pm, they don’t feel fatigued until 11 pm or later. Unfortunately, teens may also have early school start times, which means they get far less than the needed eight to ten hours of sleep. 

At the other end of the age spectrum are adults over the age of 55. As the body ages, the quality of the sleep cycle starts to deteriorate despite the fact that adults over 55 still need seven to nine hours of sleep. Older adults may also experience circadian rhythm changes due to dimming eyesight. 

The circadian rhythms rely on blue spectrum light from the sun to regulate the sleep cycle. As the eyes dim, not enough blue spectrum light enters the eyes to signal the circadian region of the brain. Consequently, sleep hormones may not be released at the correct time or at the right levels. It can mean poor sleep at night and drowsiness during the day. 

Occupations at High Risk

The human body is preconditioned to sleep when it’s dark and be awake in the light. Occupations that put people on the road when the body wants to sleep face a significant drowsy driving risk. 

Truck drivers, medical professionals, traveling business people, shift workers, and those who work long or double shifts comprise a growing number of people in this category. They find themselves on the road alone late at night and early in the morning when the body wants to sleep. If they haven’t gotten good sleep, which their occupations make it difficult to do, drowsiness is the natural result.

Sleep Tips for Those at Risk

Drowsy driving can be nipped in the bud with better sleep. Those at risk may have to take extra care to solidify and strengthen their sleep cycle, which can be done by:

• Getting comfortable. Teens, who may or may not be at full adult height, need a mattress that caters to their size and preferred sleep style. The elderly may need a model that reduces pressure points due to pain. They may also sleep better on a mattress that provides good edge support so that it’s easy to enter and exit.
• Creating the right bedroom conditions. For those who have to sleep during the day, bedroom conditions are vital. The room should be as dark as possible with the temperature between 60 to 68 degrees. If noise is an issue, a white noise machine or fan can reduce noise disruptions. 
• Keeping a regular sleep/wake schedule.  Everyone benefits from going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. A bedtime that’s preceded by a relaxing bedtime routine can help decrease stress and fully prepare the body for sleep.

Conclusions

Those at greatest risk for drowsy driving have to take more precautions than the rest of the population. However, anyone can find themselves driving while drowsy. A good night’s rest is the best way to make sure you’re ready and alert for the changing conditions you’re sure to find on the road. 

Francis P. Hajek Wilson & Hajek, LLC, a personal injury law firm Experienced Injury and Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia, including Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Greene, Augusta, Buckingham, Staunton, Waynesboro, Culpepper, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Cheasapeake, Hampton, Newport News