This week is the 3^rd Annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation and Mercedes Benz. This public awareness campaign, which lasts from November 2-8, aims to educate everyone on the road about the dangers of driving while sleepy.

Why does it matter? Every year, approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even more shocking, this results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. While many don’t think twice about getting behind the wheel while sleepy, it can be as or more hazardous than drunk driving. Studies have shown that drowsiness can cause slower reaction time, impaired vision, a decline in attention to the actions of other vehicles or changes in the road and decreased alertness.  Drowsiness can also lead to microsleeps, a dangerous condition that results in brief 2-3 second episodes where a driver falls asleep at the wheel. 

Don’t fall victim to the many dangers of driving while sleepy. Before any trip, we recommend the following advice from the National Sleep Foundation to reduce your risk of drowsy driving:

• Get Your Sleep – to maintain proper alertness during the day or while driving, most adults need 7-9 hours. And teenagers need even more:  its recommended they receive 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep each night
• Take Breaks  -during long trips schedule proper breaks, about every 100 miles or 2 hours of driving
• Bring a Friend - arrange for a travel companion to join you on trips. Having someone to talk with and who can share the driving duties can have a dramatic impact on a driver’s alertness
• Avoid Alcohol and Sedating Medications – these can make you extra drowsy and slow down your reaction time, among many other concerns. If you have had an alcoholic beverage or are on medication, avoid driving if possible, always check your labels, and ask your doctor about any side effects from prescriptions that may impede your ability to operate a car.

If you’re interested in learning more about the risks of drowsy driving, how to prevent it before or during a trip, or what you can do to help spread the word, The National Sleep Foundation has a great  toolkit available on its website, complete with education materials, posters, videos and event ideas.