Drowsy Driving

DROWSY DRIVING

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually (about 1.5 percent of all crashes) involve drowsiness or fatigue as a main cause.

SIGNS OF DROWSY DRIVING:

• Can’t remember the last few miles driven
• Drift from lanes or hit a rumble stump
• Yawn repeatedly
• Tailgate or miss traffic signs
• Have wandering or disconnected thoughts
• Difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
• Have trouble keeping your head up

HOW TO STAY ALERT WHILE DRIVING:

• Try to get enough sleep everyday.
• Avoid caffeine during the last half of your day as it can contribute to sleep problems
• You should stop at least every 100 miles or 2 hours. Switch drivers if you can.
• If you have been drinking, please don’t drive! In addition to being illegal, alcohol makes you sleepy and amplifies your fatigue. Like alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases your risk of a crash.
• Before a long trip, get a good night’s sleep. Avoid driving during the body’s “down time”. According to AAA, this is generally in the mid-afternoon and between midnight and 6:00 am.

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