That may not seem like much, but America has become a sleep-deprived nation.
Experts say that most adults require eight hours of sleep a night to function at their best.
Lack of sleep makes one less alert and more irritable at home and work, and the problem doesn't end there, Trotter says. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 100,000 accidents and 1,500 deaths occur each year because someone fell asleep at the wheel. Nearly one-third of adults say they have dozed off while driving. Search Copyright 1998 Regents of the University of California. All rights Reserved.