{"id":832492,"date":"2025-04-01T12:57:36","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T16:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/erie-insurance-survey-reveals-that-14-of-americans-have-fallen-asleep-behind-the-wheel\/"},"modified":"2025-04-01T12:57:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T16:57:36","slug":"erie-insurance-survey-reveals-that-14-of-americans-have-fallen-asleep-behind-the-wheel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/erie-insurance-survey-reveals-that-14-of-americans-have-fallen-asleep-behind-the-wheel\/","title":{"rendered":"Erie Insurance survey reveals that 14% of Americans have fallen asleep behind the wheel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Insurance company raises awareness of dangers of drowsy driving and a rise in the number of fatigued drivers, as more Americans struggle to get sufficient sleep<\/i>\n <\/p>\n

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\n ERIE, Pa.<\/span>
\n <\/span>, April 1, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ — Sleep-deprived drivers are turning America’s roadways into danger zones with potentially costly consequences. A new survey sponsored by Erie Insurance found that 14% of Americans have admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, a recipe for solo crashes and multi-vehicle collisions that can shatter lives. This alarming statistic is magnified by ERIE<\/span> data that indicates a steady increase in drivers falling asleep behind the wheel since 2020. To combat the growing threat of drowsy driving, Erie Insurance is spotlighting the dangers of sleep loss, providing practical solutions for improving sleep before driving, and revealing the key factors behind Americans’ increasing sleep deprivation\u2014all just in time for National Distracted Driving Month in April.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Erie
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\n Sleep Deprivation and Driving<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Whether driving is in the plans or not, the Centers for Disease Control<\/a> recommends that adults get, on average, at least seven hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, according to ERIE’s<\/span> survey, a large percentage of Americans are not hitting that threshold. More than half (54%) of Americans are reportedly sleeping less than seven hours, with roughly 11% getting four or less hours of sleep. The largest percentage of respondents (43%) reported averaging five-to-six hours nightly. Insufficient sleep can lead to impaired thinking, decreased alertness, and increased drowsiness, among other problems.<\/p>\n

Increased drowsiness can impact the ability to focus, think clearly, respond quickly, and perform daily tasks. And behind the wheel, that is a dangerous combination. A driver’s inability to focus on and be aware of other road users impairs their ability to brake or swerve promptly. With an average car weighing 4,100 pounds (EPA<\/a>), a sleepy driver can quickly turn a car into a dangerous weapon.<\/p>\n

The ERIE<\/span> survey additionally identified those times of day when drivers are the most fatigued and likely to be involved in an accident. According to survey results, Americans are most tired while driving during late-night hours. Between 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.<\/span>, 42% of respondents reported feeling the most tired. The next most dangerous time was during the early hours of the morning between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m.<\/span> when 23% of responding drivers reported feeling the drowsiest.<\/p>\n

Drivers are more tired during these timeframes because driving at night disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm which governs sleep and wakefulness and is highly sensitive to light cues. Driving during darkness, when the body expects to sleep, throws this rhythm off balance, resulting in fragmented sleep and persistent drowsiness.<\/p>\n

\n Staying Awake Behind the Wheel<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

For many Americans, driving isn’t just a commute; it’s a job requirement. \u00a0In fact, the ERIE<\/span> survey revealed a quarter of Americans (25%) note that driving is a core responsibility of their jobs. This encompasses a wide range of professions, from gig economy workers delivering food and taxi drivers to long-haul truckers, all of whom face the challenge of staying alert on the road, regardless of their sleep patterns.<\/p>\n

Despite feeling drowsy, drivers participating in the ERIE<\/span> survey reported attempting to stay awake while driving through several methods. These include:<\/p>\n