'MythBusters' test to see if tired drivers are as dangerous as drivers who have been drinking

'MythBusters' test tipsy and tired drivers

Mythbusters Cast_20101110134844_JPG

Courtesty:  MythBusters/Discovery Channel

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Posted: 11/10/2010

Most of us can agree that a driver who's had a few drinks is a danger on the roads. But what about a driver who hasn't had enough sleep?

According to AAA, a sleeping driver can't avoid a crash at all, making that type of crash especially severe.  Some studies have found that a driver's reaction time and ability to avoid a crash is just as impaired after 24 hours without sleep as a person with a BAC of 0.10%.  That's higher than the legal limit for DWI conviction in all U.S. states.

Kari, Tori and Grant from the Discovery Channel series "MythBusters" put those findings to the test in an experiment called 'Tipsy or Tired.'  They confirmed that drivers who have gone long periods without sleep are just as likely to crash as those who have had a few drinks.

Here's what happened after the show.  For warning signs that you're too tired to drive and tips on how to avoid fall-asleep crashes, check the links on the left side of the page.

 

 

Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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