Nothing compares with a great night of sleep, and few things can feel as awful as not getting enough. Failing to get adequate sleep can make it difficult to focus, keep up with your routine, and perform basic tasks, such as driving. Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the United States, accounting for nearly 1,500 deaths each year. A number of states have introduced legislation to encourage drivers to cut back on drowsy driving, but even without these laws, you should still avoid getting behind the wheel if you are having sleep problems.

Whether you have just worked a long shift, have been driving non-stop for several hours, or are currently living with a sleep disorder like insomnia or narcolepsy, you should not be driving. Driving in this drowsy state can make it difficult to concentrate and may slow your reaction time. Driving while drowsy is comparable in many ways to driving drunk or under the influence of narcotics.

In addition to slowing your reaction time and making it difficult to focus on the road, drowsy driving may also cause a phenomenon known as highway hypnosis, in which you may lose objective sight of the road and not notice how many miles you’ve driven. This can cause you to crash into a pole or another car because you are unable to properly judge the distance, or worse, because you have fallen asleep at the wheel.

Signs  you are driving drowsy include yawning, difficulty keeping your eyes open, or difficulty staying in your lane. To avoid driving in this state, make sure you have had a good night’s sleep before getting behind the wheel. If you need to drive for more than two hours at a time, take breaks. If you are getting sleepy while you’re behind the wheel, pull over someplace safe and try to take a short nap so you can refresh yourself.

If you are currently coping with sleep problems, contact Glacier Headache & Sleep Medicine in Kalispell, MT. For over 20 years, this sleep clinic has conducted over 10,000 sleep-related studies. To schedule an appointment, call (406) 752-1729. For a full list of the services offered at their facility, visit their website.