When Teens Should Not Be Driving

The early-morning crash that killed a 14-year-old and injured the driver, her 17-year-old sister, was tragic [Metro, July 12 and 23]. It is critical to know that the 4:45 a.m. crash occurred at an hour when adolescents should be sleeping -- not driving.

Pre-dawn activities defy biology. Adolescents need at least nine hours of sleep nightly. To drive so early, without suffering sleep deprivation, a teen must be asleep by 7:30 p.m. Because of biological programming, this is unlikely to occur: Teens are wired to fall asleep later and wake up later than adults. For adolescents, going to bed earlier rarely results in sleeping more.

In the pre-dawn period, the adolescent brain has an involuntary attraction to sleep.

Additionally, driving is a sedentary activity -- not stimulating enough to keep a sleepy person alert or awake. When drivers are sleepy, their perception, attention and reactions are poor, as if they were drunk. These problems may be greatest for young drivers, who account for most drowsy-driving crashes.

Society is woefully ignorant about sleep biology. Communities that schedule early-morning activities imperil the young people whom the activities are intended to develop. Unfortunately, adolescents who restrict or interrupt their sleep aren't immune to such tragedies. Perversely, more activities may increase their risk.

RICHARD L. GELULA

Chief Executive

National Sleep Foundation

Washington