Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, November 5-11, encourages drivers to prioritize sleep and to drive when they are alert and refreshed. Remember that drowsy driving is impaired driving.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep while driving. Nobody plans to be tired while driving, but there are steps to take to decrease your risk of fatigue during your normal driving hours.
- Get a good night’s sleep, and not just the night before you drive. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night, every night.
- Are you too tired to drive? It is important to recognize symptoms of drowsy driving, including: frequent yawning or difficulty keeping your eyes open, nodding off or having trouble keeping your head up, missing road signs or turns, and drifting out of your lane.
- If you feel tired, pull over to take a break and refresh yourself. Going for a walk or taking a short nap are ways to combat drowsy driving.
- See a doctor if you have persistent issues with falling and staying asleep. It may be a symptom of a more serious condition than lack of sleep.
Together, we can help people drive alert and work to prevent thousands of motor vehicle crashes each year. For more information about drowsy driving, visit the Drowsy Driving Prevention Week site!