If you drive when sleep deprived you could be heading for an accident. Studies have shown that a sleepy driver is as dangerous as a drunk driver. Sleep deprivation reduces reaction time severely.
The research was carried out with people who suffered from mild to moderate sleep apnea, a condition that causes frequent night time waking. The subjects were unaware that they were waking but did know they were tired.
In three out of the seven tests, people with sleep apnoea did as poorly as those not allowed to drive at all in states where – as in California – 0.08% alcohol in the blood stream is the limit
The trouble is people can’t be breath tested for sleepiness.
If you suffer from sleep deprivation you should be aware that it can cua be risky to drive or carry out any other functions that call for good reaction times
.
