Chevrolet Not Sleeping On Drowsy Driving Awareness

2018 Equinox

By Darlene Donloe

Like it does every morning, your alarm clock goes off at 6 a.m. signifying it’s time for you to go to work. You didn’t get enough sleep last night, but you drag yourself to the shower, grab a muffin, and take a sip of orange juice.  You buckle yourself into your particular Chevrolet and off you go down the road – yawning the entire way.  There is a myriad of situations that can lead to being overtired.  Insert your situation here.

You have just become yet another person guilty of drowsy driving. And, just like everyone else, you don’t necessarily consider what you’re doing a dangerous venture. But, according to a study conducted by safety engineers at Chevrolet – you might just be putting yourself and others on the road in real danger.  Chevrolet wants you to be aware that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving!!

In fact, AAA reports that one in 10 accidents is caused by drowsy driving. Drowsy driving isn’t due just to be overtired. It can also be due to drinking, medications, working late, or a sleep disorder. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that people who sleep six to seven hours a night are twice as likely to be involved in such a crash as those sleeping 8 hours or more, while people sleeping less than 5 hours increased their risk four to five times.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) found that 40-60 percent of adults actually admit to drowsy driving. Mind you, that is just the percentage of persons willing to admit they may have some driving flaws. Let's face it none of us are getting enough sleep. We’re all sleep deprived.  NSF also found that 60% of Americans have driven while sleepy and 37% of Americans have fallen asleep at the wheel.  That’s scary!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg since currently, it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.

Darlene Donloe

So, to test out Chevrolet’s safety engineers’ findings, I drove out to the StubHub Center in Carson, CA, in the Chevy Traverse to test their drowsy driving simulations suit so that I could experience firsthand all the effects of driving while drowsy.

I strapped on the suit, which, at about 23 pounds, was really heavy. Weights were added to my ankles and my wrists to slow down my response time. Once inside the 2018 Equinox (the test vehicle), I was given computer controlled goggles that replicated how my body feels when I drive in a drowsy state – including blinking patterns, sluggishness, and extreme tiredness.  The goggles were set to obstruct my view for only a second every four seconds. It felt like an eternity.  I became anxious and a bit disoriented when I came upon a sharp turn while my vision was blocked.  I was told to keep the car at a steady 20 mph.  YIKES! That’s hard to do when you can’t see, plus my body was bogged down with the extra 23 pounds of dead weight. I then had to drive around a track on a driving course through orange cones. I had to back up, make quick stops on a dime, and turn left and/or right in a split second. 

It was nerve-wracking and a rude awakening. It’s very difficult to make a quick decision when you’re tired as hell!

This simulation showed me just how fast my circumstances could change if I were driving while drowsy.  I’m now well aware.

Do yourself a favor, if you find yourself behind the wheel while being overtired, there are things you can do to keep yourself alert. For instance, you could talk to someone in the car. If you have hands free ability, call a friend and have them talk to you until you reach your destination.  Some drivers have rolled down the window to get fresh air, while some blare the music. If possible, and it’s safe, you can always pull over and rest.