Specific At-Risk Groups
The risk of a crash due to drowsy driving is not uniformly distributed across the population. Research has identified some groups as being at increased risk.
- Young people - especially males    under 25 years old.
- Shift workers and people with long    work hours - Working the night    shift increases your risk by nearly    six times. Rotating-shift workers    and people working more than 60    hours a week need to be particularly    careful.
- Commercial drivers - expecially    long-haul drivers. At least 15% of    truck crashes involve fatigue.
- People with undiagnosed or    untreated disorders - obstructive

   apnea sufferers have up to seven    times the increased risk of falling    asleep at the wheel.
- Business travelers - spend many    hours driving or may be jet-lagged.

Countermeasures
Before hitting the road:
• Get adequate sleep - most adults    need 7-9 hours to remain alert    during the day.
• Schedule proper breaks - every 100    mi.s or 2 hr.s during long trips.
• Arrange for a travel companion -    to talk with and share the driving.
• Avoid alcohol and sedating
   medications - check your labels or    ask your doctor.

Countermeasures to prevent a fall-asleep crash while driving:
- Watch for the warning signs of    fatigue - see above.
- Stop driving - pull off at the next    exit or find a place to sleep for the    night.
- Take a nap - find a safe place to take    a 15-20 minute nap.
- Consume the equivalent of 2 cups of    coffee. Caffeine is available in    various forms (eg. soft drinks,    energy drinks, tea, gum) and    amounts-it takes about 30 min.s to    enter the blood stream and will not    greatly affect those who regularly    consume it.