Dr. William Dement of Stanford University is a pioneer and leading authority in the area of sleep deprivation. Although sleep deprivation can cause a lack of concentration, diminished productivity and depression and may play a role in long-term health problems like diabetes and heart disease, Dr. Dement sites a hidden danger as the greatest cause for alarm. Each year more than 100,000 car accidents in the U.S. are caused by sleep deprived drowsy drivers. More than half of all fatalities in these accidents are caused by drowsy drivers under age 25.
The average person needs at least eight hours of sleep per night. If you find yourself feeling drowsy during the day, increase the number of hours you sleep each night. Also, never drive while drowsy.
