David Willis, president of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, warns against drivers who stay up late to party, have a few drinks, and then set out on the road. Alcohol increases the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, Willis said. When you're very tired, one drink feels like four or five. Driving home from a party is especially dangerous because you combine alcohol with fatigue. Even travelers who fly or take other public transportation can find themselves in trouble if they drive the last leg of their trip.
Sleep experts recommend at least eight hours of sleep a night in order to function properly.
Yet according most Americans get less than seven hours, a NSF survey found. Nearly one-quarter of young drivers, including college students and young workers, reported actually falling asleep at the wheel during the past year. Younger drivers were also more likely to drive faster when they felt drowsy, adding to their danger. A AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study last year identified lifestyle factors that contribute to sleepy driving. Other studies show that sleep-deprived drivers have reactions like those of people who have been drinking alcohol.