Prevent Drowsy Driving

In an effort to reduce the number of fatigue-related crashes and  to save lives, the National Sleep Foundation declared November 3-10, 2013 to be Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. This annual campaign provides public education about the under-reported risks of driving while drowsy and countermeasures to improve safety on the road.

Sleepiness and driving are a deadly combination. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration drowsy driving has contributed more than to 100,000 auto crashes leading to 40,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths on the road each year.

According to National Sleep Foundation surveys, half of American adults consistently report that they have driven drowsy and approximately 20% admit that they have actually fallen asleep at the  wheel in the previous year. Are you one of them?

Young drivers, shift workers, commercial drivers, business travelers and people with untreated sleep disorders are at most risks of drowsy driving.

New research also suggests that common prescription sleep aids like Ambien; Butisol sodium; Carbrital; Dalmane; Doral; Halcion; Lunesta; Placidyl; Prosom; Restoril; Rozerem; Seconal; and Sonata can persist well into the next day and affect your driving.

• Get plenty of sleep in the days before a long trip.
• Travel during times of the day where you are most alert.
• Share driving responsibilities, when possible.
• Take or scheduled frequent rest and stretch breaks.
• Stop and take a nap or stay the night if needed.
• Avoid taking medication or alcohol while driving.

In addition to the national Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, Florida signed House Bill 971 (Ronshay Dugans Act) into law in June 2010, designating the first week of September as Florida’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week which encourages the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to educate law enforcement community and public about relationship between fatigue & driving performance.