Drowsy driving who is at risk — Rhode Island Permit Test

Drivers with signs of a sleep disorder (frequent daytime drowsiness, trouble sleeping at night, or snoring every night) should see a doctor.

Untreated sleep apnea can make a driver nod off at the wheel without warning.

If you experience frequent daytime drowsiness, often have difficulty sleeping at night, and/or snore every night, consult your physician.

The body's circadian rhythm brings most people a low between midnight and 6 a.m.

A driver heading home at 3 a.m. is fighting the body's own clock as well as a long day.

Most people experience “lows” between midnight and 6 a.m. and again between approximately 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Besides the overnight low, most people hit a second daily low between about 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

A drive after lunch in the mid-afternoon can bring heavy eyelids even after a full night's sleep.

Most people experience “lows” between midnight and 6 a.m. and again between approximately 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Being awake for 24 hours produces impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of .10 percent; 20 hours awake equals .05 percent.

A driver who has been up all night drives as badly as one who is legally drunk.

After 24 hours awake, the impairment rises to equal to a BAC of .10 percent.

Young drivers are at higher risk of drowsy driving: drivers under 30 are involved in over two-thirds of fall-asleep crashes.

A young driver who stays out late and drives home tired is the most common fall-asleep crash.

Drivers under age 30 are involved in over two-thirds of all fall-asleep crashes.

Shift workers who work late-night or early-morning shifts are more likely to fall asleep while driving.

A nurse driving home after a night shift is fighting sleep the whole way.

Drivers who work late-night or early-morning shifts are more likely to fall asleep while driving.

If you snore every night and are often drowsy in the daytime, what does the manual advise?

Consult your physician. Untreated sleep apnea can make a driver nod off at the wheel without warning. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.21: “If you experience frequent daytime drowsiness, often have difficulty sleeping at night, and/or snore every night, consult your physician.”