The Sleepy Killer
Are drivers for your Church-sponsored activity at risk of driving drowsy?
An international risk assessment found that “injuries due to accidental crash are the 8th leading cause of death worldwide.” The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has estimated that in the United States, up to 11% of all police-reported motor-vehicle crashes and almost 21% of fatal crashes likely involve drowsy driving.
Who’s at greater risk of drowsy driving?
- Teen and young adult drivers
- Drivers on the road between midnight and 6:00 a.m. or in the late afternoon
- Drivers who don’t get enough sleep
- Commercial truck drivers
- Drivers who work the night shift or long shifts
- Drivers with untreated sleep disorders (like sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts)
- Drivers who use medicines that make them sleepy
What are some warning signs of drowsy driving?
- Yawning or blinking frequently
- Trouble remembering the past few miles driven
- Missing your exit
- Drifting from your lane
- Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road
If you have any of these warning signs, pull over to rest or let someone else drive. Simply turning up the radio or opening the window are not effective ways to keep you alert.
How can you prevent drowsy driving before taking the wheel?
- Get enough sleep! Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep a day, and teens need at least eight hours.
- Develop good sleeping habits, such as sticking to a sleep schedule.
- If you have a sleep disorder or have symptoms of a sleep disorder such as snoring or feeling sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
- Before you drive, avoid taking medicines that make you sleepy. Be sure to check the label on any medicines you take, or talk to your pharmacist.