“Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” Stresses the Dangers of Drowsy Driving

Now that fall is in full swing, sunsets come earlier and nights are longer. In lieu of this, it’s almost inevitable for us to feel sleepier earlier in the day-, which can be a dangerous combination when paired with driving.

Sunday, November 6^th is the start of “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week,” a national movement aimed towards the elimination of sleepy driving. While many people are familiar with the risks associated with impaired driving, it is not widely known that drowsy driving holds many of the same risks, such as slower judgment, delayed response time, and wandering thoughts.

Below are statistics on the severity of drowsy driving, according to the National Sleep Foundation:

• 100,000 police-reported vehicle crashes are caused by drowsy drivers every year
• Drowsy driving was linked to 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries
• The total value of drowsy driving accidents was $12.5 billion
• 11 million drivers were in a crash or a near-crash due to being too tired behind the wheel

Below are a few important tips to help prevent drowsy driving, recommended by the National Sleep Foundation:

• Be well-rested. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with driving, so make sure you are as alert as possible while operating a vehicle.
• Pullover if you notice yourself drifting off. Make sure you are in a safe location and take a 15-20 minute nap.
• Bring a buddy if you are planning a long road trip. Not only will you be able to drive in shifts, but your driving buddy can also pick up on signs of fatigue if you start to drive dangerously due to drowsiness.
• Drink caffeine. This can increase your alertness for several hours. Please note you should not solely rely on caffeine to get you through long road trips.

Don’t get behind the wheel if you are drowsy, the risks are simply too high.

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