Sleep Apnea & Motor Safety: The Dangers of Driving While Drowsy

When you get up in the morning, do you tend to feel more tired than when you went to bed the night before? Since it’s the start of the day, you might push through the drowsiness and drive, but this can be dangerous for you and others on the road. If this tends to happen frequently, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers this condition has on motor safety and how your dentist is here to help.

Why Is Driving While Drowsy Dangerous?

Someone who drives while drowsy puts themself at a greater risk of getting into an accident. All it takes is a few seconds for them to drive off the road or into another car. Crashes like these tend to happen between midnight and 6 a.m., as there are dips in the circadian rhythm then. In fact, if you have 24 hours of sleep deprivation, then it can be the same as if you have a blood alcohol content of 0.10%.

It’s believed that drowsy driving is a major contributor to vehicle collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that it had led to 91,000 crashes in 2017. This amassed about 50,000 injuries and 800 deaths. However, it’s believed that this data underestimates the impact, as it’s hard to tell if feeling like this was the case, especially if they were fatal. Even in 2023, there were 633 deaths from related crashes.

What Are Other Signs of Sleep Apnea?

If you tend to wake up drowsy or more tired in the morning than the night before, then it may be a sign of sleep apnea. This is a condition where you stop breathing for multiple seconds a night, with over five episodes every hour. It prevents you from getting quality sleep, but other signs you may have it are:

· Loud snoring

· Daytime sleepiness

· Trouble concentrating and paying attention

· Increased irritability

· Dry mouth

· Gasping for air while asleep

How Can I Get My Sleep Apnea Treated?

While sleep apnea can cause problems, your dentist is here to give you treatment. After helping you confirm a diagnosis, you may be able to get an oral appliance. This is a handy device that’ll reposition your jaw slightly forward, so your airways cannot become blocked by your throat muscles. A CPAP machine is the more traditional method to solve this condition, but it can be effective for those with a severe case.

Regardless, both can help you have the undisturbed nights you deserve. That way, you can wake up feeling completely rested and drive safely while you’re on your way to work.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Held earned his dental degree from the Creighton University School of Dentistry. He has since taken over 800 hours of continuing education, which have almost entirely focused on sleep medicine. This has helped Dr. Held treat sleep apnea in the local communities with reliable solutions. By helping you get a diagnosis, you can then get the restful nights you need. If you are worried you have this condition, schedule an appointment at his Prescott Valley, Sedona, or Flagstaff office or call (928) 778-4555.