Yahoo Autos You're Probably More Tired Than You Think You Are While Driving
Drunk driving and texting while driving definitely deserve their share of the attention they get when it comes to road safety. Both are incredibly dangerous and could easily result in an innocent person’s death. But one thing that doesn’t get enough attention is drowsy driving. When you’re tired, you’re a danger to yourself and others on the road even if you’re stone-cold sober and keep your phone in your pocket. And part of that may be because people regularly underestimate exactly how tired they are while behind the wheel.
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The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently conducted a study on drowsiness behind the wheel that showed some concerning results. Using a driving simulator, researchers created a 150-mile nighttime highway drive for participants to complete. The faster someone completed the drive, the more money they made. But there were also simulated rest stops every 20 miles that would allow participants to take a break from driving, nap, get a snack or drink coffee. Researchers also monitored how tired the participants said they felt, as well as how frequently they closed their eyes.
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One concerning finding was that participants rarely took breaks unless they felt extremely sleepy. And yet, among those who said they felt very drowsy, drivers still refused to stop at three-quarters of the rest stops that were available to them.
