The Economics of Sleep
Drowsy Driving, Health and Public Policy
Tired driving causes accidents, and poor sleep is linked to health problems, so policies target driver hours and health awareness.
Sleep is a public matter.
Road safety
Fatigued drivers cause crashes, particularly on highways at night.
Rules
Limits on driving hours for commercial truck and bus drivers exist but enforcement varies.
Health
Poor sleep is associated with heart disease, diabetes and mental health problems.
Awareness
Public campaigns can encourage better sleep habits.
A night highway
A long-haul truck driver drives through the night to meet a delivery deadline.
Ignoring driver fatigue in road safety
It is a major factor.
Key takeaways
- Fatigue causes crashes.
- Driver hour limits exist.
- Poor sleep affects health.
- Awareness helps.
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