Driving is a task that requires you to remain in a good physical and mental state. Of course, sleep will help you achieve both of these tasks. But if you skimp on sleep, it can affect your performance in a major negative way.
Sleep disturbances continued over a period of time can have an even bigger effect. But just what part of sleep disturbances affect your driving?
The impact of drowsiness
The Sleep Foundation takes a look at how drowsiness affects your driving. It actually impacts drivers in a way similar to intoxicated driving. Just a few of the shared traits between the two include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor or slow reflexes
- Trouble identifying dangerous situations
- Poor judgment
The more tired you are, the worse your incapacitations in these areas will get. On top of that, drowsy drivers risk the possibility of falling asleep at the wheel. They may experience microsleep as well, which occurs in one to three-second bursts. This may not seem like a long time, but it is all the time you need to drive the length of a football field on the freeway.
Effects of sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbances can seriously contribute to drowsiness while on the road, too. Anything that impacts your sleep can result in exhaustion. If you have a pattern of disturbed sleep, then it can result in long-term repercussions, too. Your sleep debt will rise, and you will end up more prone to experiencing exhaustion at various points throughout the day.
Unfortunately, these factors can all contribute to crashes. If you wish to learn more, consider contacting legal help.