Sleep is essential, we all know this. March 14-20th is Sleep Awareness Week, so we can reflect on how important sleep is to our health and safety. Not only does sleep leave you in a better mood, but a good nights sleep can prevent accidents and keep you safe. Taking to the road while deprived of sleep can be detrimental.
Continue reading Driving While Drowsy? Think Again.
Tag: drowsy driving
One Last Road Trip, Make It a Safe One!
It is August and we are all trying to stretch our summer out as long as possible! Have you planned one more road trip to enjoy the last of the summer sun? Driving longer distances can be taxing, but with safety in mind you can make the trip more enjoyable:
- Avoid drowsy driving using a few simple tips: https://www.mancuso-nowak.com/2016/03/06/driving-while-drowsy-think-again-2/
- Drunk Driving is an epidemic, don’t be a statistic http://www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober/index.html
- National Stop on Red week is this week, so make sure you are not running any red lights! http://ncsrsafety.org/stop-on-red/
- Don’t be a distracted driver. Navigating a new location may mean you are watching your gps on your dashboard or on your phone, taking your eyes away from the road. Have your passenger be the co-pilot and let you know where to go.
Make you last summer road trip a memorable and safe one! Happy last month of summer vacation!
Drowsy Driver Prevention Week
November 1-8 is Drowsy Driver Prevention Week. It is important to give attention to this hazard on the road, as many people every day get on the road that are too tired to drive. Half of drivers surveyed in the Sleep in America poll have admitted to driving while drowsy. As it is easy for police to detect when alcohol is a factor in a crash, it is much more difficult to conclude that drowsiness was a leading or contributing factor in a crash. The estimates from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conclude that driving while drowsy has caused 100,000 car accidents, 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities. Statistics also show that more men than women drive while too sleepy to drive, 56% vs 45%.
How can we prevent drowsy driving accidents?
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
- If you have been up for 24 hrs, do not drive
- Take a break every 2 hrs of driving or every 100 miles
- Open the windows and get fresh air…the colder the better!
- Drink a caffeinated beverage
- Have a passenger with you while driving. Have them talk to you and keep you alert.
- Avoid alcohol as it can make you even more drowsy (and it is against the law to drink and drive!)
Avoid medications that cause drowsiness - If none of these tips work, just pull off the road and take a quick nap or stay somewhere for the night and continue the drive on a good nights rest.
- If you are prone to getting sleepy while driving have someone else drive on longer trips and at night when falling asleep is more likely.
Protect yourself and the ones you love by not driving while drowsy, share with friends and family and on social media with #Awake2Drive.