The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) has referred to sleep insufficiency as a “public health epidemic.” Insufficient sleep is linked to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors. Unintentionally falling asleep, nodding off while driving, and having difficulty performing daily tasks because of sleepiness all contribute to these hazardous outcomes.
The CDC also states that those who experience sleep insufficiency are also more likely to suffer from diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity, cancer and from increased mortality. And, since an estimated 50-70 million U.S. adults have sleep disorders, those behind the wheel put others in serious harm’s way with them.
Unlike alcohol-related crashes, there are currently no blood, breath, or other tests to quantify one’s level of sleepiness at the crash site. However, the evidence of a typical crash related to sleepiness has the following characteristics:
The crash occurs most often late-night, early morning or mid-afternoon.
The crash is likely to be serious.
A single vehicle leaves the roadway.
The crash occurs on a high-speed road.
The driver does not attempt to avoid a crash.
The driver is alone in the vehicle.
If you are a heavy snorer or suspect you have Sleep Apnea, contact our office toll free 1-866-9-Smiles to discuss non-surgical options for treatment. We provide comfortable, FDA approved treatment that DOES NOT require you to wear a CPAP during sleep.
