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Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

This week - Nov. 6-13^th, is the National Sleep Foundation’s “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week^®. The event encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when they are alert and refreshed. Young drivers (aged 16-25 years) and shift workers are at the greatest risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, but most drivers can relate to a time when they nodded off while driving.

Author: Reviewed by Amerisafe Safety Consultants

Take a Break, Get a Cup of Coffee, Pull Over

Does your car alert you when you've drifted too far to the right? How about that gentle pull back into the center of the lane? Some new vehicles have these Lane Assist safety features - as well as a warning message that will pop up saying to "take a break." Drowsy driving is far more common than we think and shift workers (like some of us Safety Professionals) are at high risk due to the long hours and lack of sleep.

Drowsy Driving is Dangerously Common

The statistics related to drowsy driving are eye-opening:

An estimated 6,400 people in the U.S. alone are killed due to drowsy driving according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports an estimated 100,000 crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving, resulting in more than 71,000 injuries and $12.5 million in damages.
6 in 10 drivers (62%) have driven a car when they were so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open, a projected 150+ million US motorists

Drowsy Driving Is Preventable

"The National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week^® encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when they are alert and refreshed."

Visit The National Sleep Foundation Website