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Notice to Readers: Drowsy Driving Prevention Week --- November
5--11, 2007
Although most persons understand the potentially fatal consequences of drinking and driving, many are unaware of
the often fatal consequences of driving while drowsy. In the 2005 Sleep in America poll, 37% of respondents (representing
103 million U.S. residents) reported that they had fallen asleep while driving during the preceding year
(1). Even experienced long-distance truck drivers are vulnerable; 47.1% of those surveyed in an earlier study reported that they had fallen asleep
while driving a truck at some time during their lives
(2). In addition to causing injury and death, drowsy driving incidents
have resulted in jail sentences for drivers and lawsuits against drivers or the companies that employ them
(1). Groups found to be at increased risk for drowsy driving include men aged <26 years, night-shift workers, commercial drivers, and persons
with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders
(1).
McCartt AT, Rohrbaugh JW, Hammer MC, Fuller SZ. Factors associated with falling asleep at the wheel among long-distance truck drivers.
Accid Anal Prev 2000;32:493--504.
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