Drowsy Driving

March 3-10 is National Sleep Awareness Week, an annual campaign to celebrate the health benefits of sleep. In honor of this week-long awareness program and the upcoming Daylight Savings Time change on March 10, the Florida Safety Council is educating its followers on the dangers of drowsy driving and how to avoid it. 

The Facts

According to the most recent National Sleep Foundation's poll, over 60% of adult drivers admitted  to driving while feeling drowsy in the past year, and 37% have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! Furthermore,  4% – approximately eleven million drivers – were involved in a crash or near miss because they dozed off or were too tired to drive.

Can you see why this is an issue?! 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses annually. Since it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness these statistics could be the tip of the iceberg.

Avoiding Drowsy Driving

To protect yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road the Florida Safety Council has compiled a list of tips so that you can avoid driving drowsy! Of course there is no substitute for a full night's sleep but these options can help keep you more alert on the road. 

1. Drink caffeinated beverages:

Coffee and energy drinks are very popular options when one doesn't get enough sleep however, they could be deadly if you have a heart condition. Be sure to read labels and look up information about the product before you consume it. 

2. Listen to music:

Turn up that radio and sing along! Getting your blood pumping will help keep you alert on the road. My only recommendations are that you avoid dancing (I know, it's hard!) so that you can keep both hands on the wheel and don't flip through stations unless you're at a red light. 

3. Bring a passenger:

Having someone to talk to while you're driving will keep you from dozing off. It's also helpful to have a second pair of eyes on the road and you will have the option to let them drive if you feel unfit. When my sister and I were driving home for winter break I gladly handed her my keys when I realized how exhausted I was. Just make sure you trust the driver!

Remember, a good night's sleep is your best defense against drowsy driving! Many factors come into play when determining how long you should sleep for, but the recommended amount is 6-8 hours every night. Keep this in mind this Sunday, March 10 when we lose an hour from Daylight Savings Time. Go to bed an hour earlier than usual so the time change won't affect you and lead to drowsy driving!