We are all familiar with drunken driving, but what about drowsy driving? Studies show that drowsy driving can be just as deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 – 33% of fatal crashes involved tired or sleepy drivers.

Dr. Michael Howell, a sleep expert at the University of Minnesota, says that “being sleep deprived slows our reaction time. That can mean hitting something we might otherwise avoid, like a child on a bicycle who suddenly veers off the sidewalk. We’re also more impulsive when we’re tired. Road rage happens because people are sleep deprived.” Drowsy driving shows that we respond slower, and emotions run higher.

According to a CDC report, drowsy driving occurs in one out of every 24 people at least once a month.

In a 2005 National Sleep Foundation poll, 60% of drivers had driven while sleepy in the preceding year.

“We live in a sleep-deprived culture,” Howell said. “There’s a reason why there’s a coffee shop around every corner. We don’t sleep as much as we should.”

If you are experiencing insomnia or other sleep troubles, make sure to consult your doctor and find out about specific treatments.