With Thanksgiving around the corner, plenty of students will be making a long drive home - a drive that can be dangerous if not prepared for correctly.
A recent study published by Three Rivers Group, which makes the alertness drug Vivarin, concluded that drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are responsible for the largest number of accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel. The study was conducted last year by Bradley Hospital's Chronobiology Laboratory in North Carolina.
The theory supporting the study's findings is that student drivers don't prepare for long trips properly - they don't get enough sleep, don't take breaks on the road and often choose to drive at bad times.
"Basically we wanted to make students aware what a big problem drowsy driving is among their age group," said Jane Friedberg, a spokesperson for Vivarin.
Many students strongly disagreed with the survey, attributing accidents to lack of experience, not sleep.
"I agree that students can sometimes be a little more reckless when they drive, but I wouldn't correlate it to not getting enough sleep," said Kinesiology sophomore Michael Melfi. "It's more according to their driving experience - I wouldn't base it solely on sleep."
The study also offended many students who said it underestimates their judgment.
"It does cover a lot of people," said Wendy Golef, an Engineering sophomore. "But it's not like we're going to pull an all-nighter and then make the drive home."
LSA first-year student Karen Hodys said, "That (study) is the most absurd thing I've heard. Even if that were true, people of those ages would have enough common sense to pull off the road and rest until they could continue."
With Thanksgiving and winter break coming up, many students will prepare in different ways for their drives home.
"When I'm done with classes on Tuesday, I'll get into my car and drive," said Ira Weintraub, a Kinesiology senior. Weintraub will drive eight hours to Rozkville, Md. "I've done (the drive) four or five times at the same time (of day) and it's never been a problem."
Some students prepare to drive home with their families.
"Before we leave we call AAA and get a Triptiks," said Hodys, who is traveling to Burrillville, R.I., at winter break. "My mom buys drinks to pack in a cooler in the car."
Students use different methods to stay awake, even on short drives.
"I pump up the music so I don't fall asleep," said LSA first-year student Katie Moses. Adding that although her drive home is only an hour, she said the trip can be rough.
"I drink lots and lots of coffee. I'll leave around three; I try to beat traffic," Moses said.
Melfi's drive to Lansing is also only about an hour, but he said he still enjoys the trip.
"Some people like to see their surroundings," he said. "Road trips can be fun if you take a friend; it's someone to talk to, to help keep you awake."
Many students will drive home with friends, not only for convenience, but for economic reasons.
"We all take turns driving, then we can sleep while someone else is awake," said Golef, who is driving to Philadelphia - a 9 1/2-hour trip. "I hate driving alone, no one talks to you. As long as there is one person up and talking to the driver you're usually good to go.
"A plane ticket is about $250, gas money is more like $30. It's a big economical difference," Golef said. "Even the $30 gets split between three or four people."
For some, flying is more a question of distance.
"Lots of people can't or shouldn't fly because the distance is too short," Moses said.
There are students who fly home because the distance is too far to drive.
"(I'm flying) because it's like a 10-hour drive and I don't like being in a car for a long time - I get restless," said LSA first-year student Sara Klenoff. "It's a lot easier and it takes a lot less time."
Clarissa Charlier, a Kinesiology sophomore, laughed at the question of whether she would fly home. She rubbed her fingers together and said, "Money."