Biological - NIH Office of Science Education - National Institutes of ...

Sleepiness and
Driving: WhatW
You Don’t Know
Can Kill YouY
Lesson 5
Evaluate
Figure 5.1. The
National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
has estimated
that each year, about
100,000 motor vehicle
crashes result from
drowsy driving.
Overview
In this lesson, students begin by identifying both good and bad sleep
habits. Then they participate in a role-playing scenario about sleepiness
and driving. Marcia Sinton, daughter of a friend of the governor, has been
killed in a car crash in which the driver of the other car fell asleep while
driving. In response, the governor wants to incorporate questions about
sleep and driving into the state’s driver’s license test. It is the governor’s
belief that knowing about sleep and the consequences of poor sleep habits
will produce safer drivers and fewer sleep-related car crashes. Students
assume the role of sleep specialists who have been asked to come up with
the sleep questions.
At a Glance
Major Concepts
Sleep loss has a number of negative impacts on society including loss of
productivity, increased accident rates, and increased medical costs.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will
• identify good and bad sleep habits;
• explain that lack of sleep is widespread and has negative impacts on
society;
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