A recent study published by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found a connection between school start times and teen driving accidents. The study found that pushing a 7:20 a.m. start to an 8:10 a.m. start significantly reduced the crash rate of 16– to 18–year–old drivers in the area. According to the researchers, teens who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to make poor decisions—such as distracted driving or forgetting to wear a seat belt.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has been advocating for middle and high school start times of 8:30 a.m. or later to help promote teen safety, health, and academic performance. The AASM recommends teens get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a day. By getting enough sleep, teens are more alert in the classroom, are less tardy or absent, have better mental health, and have improved safety habits while driving.

Title: Pot-Booze Combo More Dangerous for Teen Drivers Than Alcohol Alone
Category: Health News
Created: 4/28/2014 9:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2014 12:00:00 AM