Highlights on Drowsy Driving From NSF 2002 Sleep In America Poll

Drowsy Driving

51 percent of adults who drive say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year.

• Gender: males (56%) vs. females (45%)
• Age: 18-29 (71%), 30-64 (52%), 65+ (19%)
• Adults w/children in household (59%) vs. those without children (45%)

Fall Asleep at the Wheel

17 percent of adult drivers report dozing off while driving at least once in the past year.

• Gender: males (22%) vs. females (12%)
• Age: 18-29 (28%), 30-64 (16%), 65+ (6%)
  

Addendum

• The first federal bill (H.R. 5543) addressing the issue of drowsy driving was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) last month. It is known as "Maggie's Law: National Drowsy Driving Act of 2002."
• A bill before the New Jersey state legislature declares driving while knowingly fatigued constitutes a charge of reckless driving with all associated penalties.
• Drowsy driving crashes can result in high personal and economic costs:
  • A national trucking company settled a lawsuit for $7.25 million after one of its drivers fell asleep and killed his passenger, who was asleep in the truck.
  • A St. Louis man was charged with involuntary manslaughter after falling asleep at the wheel and killing a woman changing a tire on the side of a road.
  • Victims of drowsy driving-related accidents and their families have been awarded judgments ranging from $100,000 to $20 million.

For more information about drowsy driving, the National Summit to Prevent Drowsy Driving, and other sleep-related issues, visit NSF's Web site, www.sleepfoundation.org.

WB&A Market Research conducted the 2002 Sleep in America poll for NSF by telephone between October 1 and December 10, 2001 among a random sample of 1,010 adults at least 18 years of age. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percent. Additional poll data were released earlier this year.

The National Sleep Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, and by supporting education, sleep-related research, and advocacy. The Foundation is based in Washington, DC.