You let out a big yawn and open the window to let in some cold air. Driving to and from work in the dark is the pits. We are sure you’re thrilled with the reminder about the dark days of winter. Drowsy Driving doesn’t get as much attention as things like road rage, driver distraction, & drunk driving. We can all use a reminder of the dangers of drowsy driving.
- An estimated 1 in 5 fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver
- More than 1 in 4 drivers (26%) who reported having fallen asleep while driving over the course of that year reported that it had occurred between noon and 5:00 PM.
- Drivers missing 2-3 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period more than quadrupled their risk of a crash.
To remain alert and avoid drowsiness, AAA suggests:
- Get plenty of sleep (6-7 hours) the night before a long trip.
- Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles.
- Travel at times when you are normally awake.
- On long-distanced drives, stay somewhere overnight rather than driving straight through.
- Stop driving if you become sleepy. Even a few seconds of lost focus is just as deadly as texting and driving.
- Don’t try to push through. People who are sleep deprived, or have no routine sleep patterns, can nod off with little or no warning.
- Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment.
Symptoms of sleepiness include but are not limited to:
- The inability to keep your head up and eyes focused
- Daydreaming or having wandering, disconnected thoughts
- Drifting from your lane or tailgating
Despite our busy lifestyles, don’t ignore the risks. Keep up on your sleep. Don’t hesitate to pull over in a safe location. Taking a nap is more effective than just drinking coffee and energy drinks. Try your best to get plenty of sleep. Stay Awake, Stay Alive! Get additional drowsy driver information.
Mike Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley. Get more AAA safety tips and programs.
