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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; At a time when drowsy driving is becoming a more critical problem, AAA Mid-Atlantic warns that drivers should not rely on their bodies to tell them when they are tired.</p><p>According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the most in-depth drowsy driving research ever conducted in the U.S. found that the percentage of crashes involving drowsiness is many times higher than federal estimates indicate.</p><p>&#8220;As many Americans struggle to balance their busy schedules, missing a few hours of sleep each day can often seem harmless,&#8221; said Jana L. Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. &#8220;But missing just two to three hours of sleep can more than quadruple your risk for a crash, which is the equivalent of driving drunk.&#8221;</p><p>In Pennsylvania, PennDOT data shows drowsy driving was a contributing factor in 2,625 crashes in 2016, resulting in 25 fatalities. When compared to previous years&#8217; statistics, 2016 had a fatality rate 31 percent higher than 2015 and 212 percent higher than 2013.</p><p>Tidwell said the difficulty in detecting drowsiness following a crash makes drowsy driving one of the most under-reported traffic safety issues. The new research provides an unprecedented analysis of in-vehicle dash-cam video from more than 700 crashes, confirming the danger of drowsy driving soars above official estimates.</p><p>In the study, researchers examined video of drivers&#8217; faces in the three minutes leading up to a crash. Using a scientific measure linking the percentage of time a person&#8217;s eyes are closed to their level of drowsiness, the researchers determined that 9.5 percent of all crashes and 10.8 percent of crashes resulting in significant property damage involved drowsiness.</p><p>Federal estimates indicate drowsiness is a factor in only 1 to 2 percent of crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that fatigue-related fatal and injury crashes cost around $109 billion per year &#8212; and that&#8217;s not including property damage.</p><p>In a recent related AAA Foundation survey, nearly all drivers (96 percent) say they view drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety and a completely unacceptable behavior. However, 29 percent admitted to driving when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open at some point in the past month.</p><p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be fooled, the only antidote for drowsiness is sleep,&#8221; said Tidwell. &#8220;Short-term tactics like drinking coffee, singing, or rolling down the window will not work. Your body&#8217;s need for sleep will eventually override your brain&#8217;s attempts to stay awake.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Tips</strong></p><p>AAA recommends that drivers:</p><p>&#8226; Travel at times of the day when they are normally awake.</p><p>&#8226; Avoid heavy foods.</p><p>&#8226; Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment.</p><p>For longer trips, drivers should:</p><p>&#8226; Schedule a break every two hours or 100 miles.</p><p>&#8226; Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving.</p><p>&#8220;Do not underestimate the power of a quick nap,&#8221; Tidwell said. &#8220;Pulling into a rest stop and taking a quick catnap &#8212; at least 20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes of sleep &#8212; can help to keep you alert on the road.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

AAA: Drowsy-driving crashes many times higher than federal estimates