You probably already know that not getting enough sleep is bad for your health. At the very least, you know how it makes you feel - tired, grouchy, and lethargic. A new study suggests that by not getting adequate sleep, you may be doing more than just putting your health at risk, though; you may be putting your life - and the lives of those around you - at risk, too. In fact, the new study, which was published by AAA, reveals that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Not Getting Enough Sleep Makes You As Dangerous as a Drunk Driver Drunk drivers aren’t the only ones on the road contributing to auto accidents - drowsy drivers are also to blame. The AAA study, conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, found that drowsy drivers are involved in 21 percent of all fatal crashes. Here’s a look at how the amount of sleep that drivers get affects their chances of being involved in an accident:
- Drivers in the study who slept for less than four hours had a crash rate 11.5 times greater than average;
- Drivers in the study who slept for between four and five hours had a crash rate 4.3 times greater than average;
- Drivers in the study who slept for between five and six hours had a crash rate 1.9 times greater than average; and
- Drivers in the study who slept for between six and seven hours had a crash rate 1.3 times greater than average.