Prevent Drowsy Driving: Stay Awake at the Wheel!
One in five fatal accidents on American roads involves a drowsy driver, according to a report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Unfortunately, driving while sleepy is common in today’s world. The consequences can be tragic.
The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project urges every driver to take responsibility for staying “Awake at the Wheel” by:
- Making it a daily priority to get sufficient sleep
- Refusing to drive when sleep deprived
- Recognizing the signs of drowsiness
- Pulling off the road to a safe location when sleepy
“Drowsiness is similar to alcohol in how it compromises driving ability by reducing alertness and attentiveness, delaying reaction times, and hindering decision-making skills,” said Dr. Nathaniel Watson, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “Drowsy driving is deadly, but it can be prevented.”
How can you prevent drowsy driving?
Getting seven to nine hours of nightly sleep is the best way to prevent drowsy driving. Drivers should also avoid driving late at night or alone, and they should share the driving with another passenger on long trips.
Pull over or have another passenger take the wheel if you experience any of the following warning signs of drowsy driving:
- You keep yawning or are unable to keep your eyes open.
- You catch yourself “nodding off” and have trouble keeping your head up.
- You can’t remember driving the last few miles.
- You end up too close to cars in front of you.
- You miss road signs or drive past your turn.
- You drift into the other lane of traffic.
- You drift onto the “rumble strip” or onto the shoulder of the road.
