Unlike alcohol intoxication, there's no test for "drowsy driving," so you're the best judge of whether you should be on the road or not. Try this quiz to help you make that call.

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#1. Have you had a vehicle accident or near-accident in the past year that involved your own drowsiness or fatigue?

Yes     No
Fact: About 1.5% of all highway accidents are from drowsiness and/or fatigue, causing 1500 deaths a year, and approximately 71,000 injuries, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Another one million accidents a year (one-sixth of all crashes) are from the inattention of the driver - and drowsiness is considered a contributor to that. You need to identify the times you are likely to get drowsy and take preventive measures, including pulling over into a safe area and napping for 15 to 45 minutes.


#2. Have you driven while drowsy in the past two months?

Yes     No
Fact: the National Safety Foundation says that 62% of adults report driving while feeling drowsy in a year's time; 27% said they dozed off while driving.

Another study showed that long, boring stretches of road make the driver more vulnerable to falling asleep while driving. One method of prevention is to have a companion to talk to you and keep your mind stimulated and awake, as well as share the driving. You should stop every two hours.

Don't count on the radio or a fresh breeze to keep you from dozing off. Stop and take a break or a nap. Sniffing cinnamon can improve alertness.

Pay attention to these signs of sleepiness:

• You can't quite remember the last few miles driven
  
  
• You drift out of your lane and jerk back into it
  
  
• You're startled by a rumble strip
  
  
• Your mind keeps wandering
  
  
• You keep yawning
  
  
• Your eyes are sleepy
  
  
• You drive too close to other vehicles
  
  
• You miss signs
  
  
• Your head keeps jerking down
  
  
• You roll down the window or turn the radio loud to wake yourself up
  
  

#3. Do you have any of these risk factors for driving drowsy?

Yes     No

• You are a male under age 25
  
  
• You are sleep-deprived
  
  
• You stay up late and then drive your car
  
  
• You drive long distances without rest breaks
  
  
• You drive through the night or at times when you are normally asleep
  
  
• You take medication that increases sleepiness
  
  
• You drive after drinking alcohol
  
  
• You drive alone, with no companion
  
  
• You drive on long, boring stretches of road
  
  
• You travel a lot by car

Fact: 55% of crashes involving people under 25 are from falling asleep at the wheel; 20-year-old males are most vulnerable, according to a study done by the state of North Carolina. Speculation is that young adults more often stay up late, are sleep deprived, and drive at night.


#4. Are you a shift worker?
(i.e., do you work a rotating shift instead of a steady time schedule?)

Yes     No
Fact: Of the 25 million rotating shift workers in the US, 20-30 percent of them have had a drowsy episode while driving that led to a "mishap." Drink coffee or an energy drink to give you a short-term boost, and give it about 30 minutes to take effect. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you sleepy while driving.


#5. Do you suspect you have an undiagnosed sleep disorder?

Yes     No
Fact: If you don't sleep well at night - for whatever reason, including insomnia, apnea, or other possible sleep disorders - it can lead to sleepiness during the day, a problem that affects 30 million Americans and can play a role in the risk of a car crash. Consult your doctor about any suspicions of a sleep disorder.




If you have even one "yes" answer, you are at risk of "drowsy driving."

Get more sleep, and if that doesn't work, see your doctor. More than one "yes"? You really need to take the subject seriously. Go to www.websciences.org for a discussion of what to say to your doctor about sleep issues.