The concern for the safety of young and novice drivers is a sentiment shared by parents, guardians, and the public at large. The unique challenges faced by this demographic, including their limited experience, ongoing brain development, and inclination to test boundaries, have prompted heightened awareness. A recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation sheds light on the alarming rates of drowsy driving among U.S. teens, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to address this critical issue.
Below are some of the findings worth noting:
- In their first two years of driving, 1 in 6 teens have already driven while drowsy.
- 95% of teens say drowsy driving is risky, but most rate drunk, drugged, and distracted driving as more dangerous.
- Most teens say schoolwork and jobs are the main factors that keep them from getting the sleep they need to drive alert.
- Teen drivers with jobs are more than 2X as likely as those without to have driven while so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open.