We have all heard about the dangers of texting while driving and how those types of accidents are on the rise. There have also been reports about the dangers of eating while driving. A new study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says that drowsy driving could be the most dangerous habits for motorists and some don't even realize they are doing it, which is the really scary part of this. To be perfectly honest, I have actually nodded off behind the wheel and there is nothing scarier than the instant when you wake up. This was back when I was commuting 90 minutes each way six days a week. I don't do that anymore and because of my very early schedule, never drive when I am tired.

According to the CDC study, about 4 percent of U.S. adults admit they have either nodded off or fallen asleep while driving in the last month. The numbers are about 1 in 24 and those are just the ones who admit it because so many are unaware that it is even happening. The CDC fears the exact number of people who nod off behind the wheel is actually much higher than the study indicated.

Drowsy driving tends to occur more with men, people between the ages of 25-34, those who average less than six hours sleep per night, and people who live in Texas, which is a very strange finding in the study.

One of the big health issues today is the lack of sleep and how many of us are moderately to severely sleep deprived. Lack of sleep is also a major contributing factor to weight gain and obesity.

One thing they do know is that the number of fatal crashes that involve drowsy driving is between 3 and 33%, with most believing the actual percentage is closer to 33%.

Warning signs of being too drowsy to drive include feeling very tired, not remembering the last mile or two and drifting onto rumble strips on the side of the road. By the way, if you are traveling at 60 mph and nod off, in a single second, you will travel 88 feet. Think about that - 88 feet for every second you are "out" - that is frightening.

[AOL]

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