Drowsiness and Untreated Sleep Disorders Can Be Deadly, Say Experts

In a Nov. 3 press release, Dr. Jonathan Greenburg, a Southern California specialist in sleep disorders, says that a recent 31-vehicle crash near Los Angeles could possibly have been the result of a drowsy driver or an untreated sleep disorder. "Nobody will ever know, but it brings awareness to the fact that untreated sleep disorders can be potentially deadly," he said.

What is known are the reported statistics of the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). The NSF says that 40 percent of drivers, or more than 32 million people, say they have literally fallen asleep at the wheel within the past year. Couple this with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's statistics regarding deaths and injuries resulting from drowsy driving crashes, and it becomes very apparent that tired drivers and drivers with untreated sleep disorders are a public safety concern.

Nov. 5-11 is the first annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (DDPW), intended to increase public awareness of drowsy driving and untreated sleep disorders. With increased public awareness, officials hope to save lives and encourage states to look at preventative measures. DDPW is the nation's first-annual public awareness campaign of its kind.

Few would argue that sleepiness and driving are anything but a dangerous combination. But most people don't realize that drowsy driving can be just as fatal as drinking and driving. According to DrowsyDriving.org, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases a driver's awareness and impairs judgment - just like alcohol.

As suggested by Dr. Greenburg, falling asleep at the wheel as the cause of a fatal crash is difficult to prove. But DrowsyDriving.org says there are clues that tell crash investigators when the driver of a vehicle may have fallen asleep. For example, drowsy driving accidents are generally single-vehicle accidents, with just the driver aboard. There are usually no skid marks or other evidence that evasive measures were taken before the crash occurred.

There are many possible causes of sleepiness, fatigue and drowsy driving. DrowsyDriving.org cites several, including but not limited to sleep loss, the use of sedating medications, consumption of alcohol and undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders.

Dr. Greenburg says that those with undiagnosed sleep apnea are among the highest at-risk groups for drowsy driving. Sleep apnea is said to affect more than 18 million people in the U.S. If undiagnosed and untreated, it also contributes to heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke. Greenburg says that despite the fact that most insurance carriers and Medicare cover the cost of diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea, more than 80 percent of sufferers remain undiagnosed largely because they are unaware there's a problem. "What many people believe is simple snoring can actually be a serious danger signal. Corrective treatment can stop the damage while restoring a person's natural alertness, energy and healthy sleep patterns," Greenburg says.

Although it may be difficult to prove and prosecute, DrowsyDriving.org says that several states are considering legislation that would allow police to charge drowsy drivers with criminal negligence if they injure or kill someone while driving if they've not had adequate sleep. Exactly how that could be enforced is anyone's guess.

Sources:

Press release, Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders Such As Sleep Apnea May Play A Role In Over 100,000 Traffic Accidents Per Year; http://www.prweb.com/releases/sleep-apnea/snoring/prweb566513.htm

DrowsyDriving.org; http://www.drowsydriving.org/site/c.lqLPIROCKtF/b.2708421/k.BD17/Home.htm