(GEORGETOWN, Del.) - One of every ten teens fall asleep at the wheel while driving, according to a new study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD, Students Against Destructive Driving.
Teens live are filled to the brim and are sleep deprived because of extracurricular activities, jobs and homework. Driver education teacher Don Megee says "students out here unfortunately many parents don't work with them as much as they used to when I was a kid."
The new study states that one third of teens are driving while drowsy and over half licensed teens admit to driving when they have felt to tired. High school teen driver Josiah Blake thinks "If you are tired just call a friend or take the bus or ask mom or dad."
According to Dr. Gene Beresin, Senior Advisor for SADD says " The pressures of school, sports, extracurricular activities and friends can be over-whelming and teens maybe not ask for help if they are running on empty."
Parents can be helpful in preventing teens from driving drowsy by following tips from Liberty Mutual and SADD. Make sure if they are to tired to drive, be comfortable enough to ask for a ride or to take the bus. Even opening the window to wake up is an easy tip.
Mr. Megee thinks the teens should put more magnet on their cars "i wish they would give you more so you can put it on the back and side. So that every other driver on the road knows that you are a brand new driver."