Drowsy driving could be fatal AAA urges motorists to spring forward with safe driving
Proper rest can very well save your life. Daylight Savings Time begins March 12th and the changing of the clock can affect your sleep cycle and increase crash risk behind the wheel. In 2014, there were 846 drowsy-drivingrelated deaths recorded in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database.
A recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that nearly all motorists view drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety and completely unacceptable; however, nearly three in ten motorists admit to driving when they were so tired they could barely keep their eyes open, at some point in the past month.
“The best way to prevent a potentially fatal crash due to drowsy driving is to make sure you get a good night’s sleep,” said Garrett Townsend, Georgia Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We often try to tough it out and attempt to stay awake through various actions, but these are only effective momentarily.” Sleeping fewer than five hours a night increases the risk of a collision by four to five times.
There is no guarantee you will recognize your body becoming tired behind the wheel. In fact, one half of drivers involved in crashes resulting from falling asleep behind the wheel did not detect any signs of drowsiness prior to the crash. Be aware that there may not be any warning signs before drifting off to sleep, but be sure to recognize any of the warning signs that do appear:
•Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
•Daydreaming or wandering thoughts
•Trouble remembering the last few miles driven, passing up exits, or missing traffic signs
•Trouble keeping your head up
•Drifting from your lane, following too closely, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
•Feeling restless or irritable
AAA offers these tips to prevent becoming drowsy:
•Get plenty of rest. This may vary by individual, but sleep experts recommend between 7 and 9 hours per night for adults, and 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours per night for teens.
•Plan ahead. Be sure to take into consideration the total length of your trip, stopping points, and other logistical concerns. If you are planning on taking a longer trip, take a friend with you. Passengers can help identify symptoms of drowsiness and share the task of driving.
•Avoid medications that cause drowsiness. These include both over the counter and prescribed medications that may impair driving performance. If you are unsure how your medications may affect your driving performance you can find more information via Roadwise Rx: http:// www.roadwiserx.com/
The report results are part of the AAA Foundation’s annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, which identifies attitudes and behaviors related to traffic safety. The survey data are from a sample of 2,511 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who reported driving in the past 30 days. The AAA Foundation issued its first Traffic Safety Culture Index in 2008, and the latest report is online at www.AAAFoundation. org.