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The CDC's Ann Wheaton says the number of sleeping drivers is probably higher because many drivers don't realize when they're nodding off for a second or two. (WSDOT Photo)

Drowsy driving increases, 1 in 24 have fallen asleep at the wheel

BY Ursula Reutin  on January 4, 2013 @ 7:12 am (Updated: 7:39 am - 1/4/13 )

Falling asleep behind the wheel may happen more often than you think.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drowsy driving is a growing problem. One in 24 drivers reported they had dozed off while driving in the last month.

The CDC's Ann Wheaton says the number is probably higher because many drivers don't realize when they're nodding off for a second or two.

Even if you don't fall asleep, Wheaton says driving drowsy is like driving drunk.

"The prevalence of people actually driving while impaired by being sleepy, is going to be a bit higher," Wheaton tells CBS. "Sometimes people will fall asleep for just a moment and not realize they had fallen asleep."

The research found that men were more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel and the problem is more prevalent among drivers between the ages of 25 and 34.

More and more, Wheaton says, people are burning both ends of the stick and are getting less than six hours of sleep.

"Some previous studies have shown that being awake for 24 hours, is comparable to blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent, which is above the legal limit in all states."

The state with the most drivers nodding off is Texas; Oregon had the fewest.

The AAA Foundation estimates that tired drivers were responsible for one in six fatal crashes, and one in eight accidents that sent someone to the hospital. In more than half the accidents, sleepy drivers drifted into another lane or off the road entirely.

Warning signs you're driving drowsy? Not remembering the last mile or two, or drifting onto rumble strips on the side of the road. Even if you nod off for a second or two, that could be extremely dangerous at 60 miles an hour one second translates to speeding along for 88 feet, the length of two school buses.

Ursula Reutin, KIRO Radio Reporter
Ursula loves to laugh and she does it with gusto. She brightens the day for everyone around her with her kindness, thoughtfulness and fun-loving nature.
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Comments (2)


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  • Snout wrote...
    How can one fall asleep while angry?
    January 4, 2013 7:37 pm
    Angry at the billions spent on useless toy trains. Angry at the lack of lane capacity. Angry at those stupid bike lane things in Seattle that as a non-Seattleite I don't understand when I need to go there. Anger at those variable speed lanes on I-5 and I-90 that always tell you that the new speed limit is 30 mph more than you are actually going because of fracking traffic!!! No way I'm falling asleep unless it's because I blow a gasket and just buy it right there in traffic. Enjoy the mess, DOT.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2112 wrote...
    How can one fall asleep while angry?
    January 6, 2013 6:45 pm
    Because someone lulled you to sleep driving as slow as possible in the left lane.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }