Safety Info
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Drowsy driving CAN KILL
By Christina Hampton
“DANGER: Falling asleep at the wheel. It happens more often than you might think. In fact, studies show nearly a third of drivers have dozed off while at the wheel and among the group 12% said they had an accident because they were too tired while driving.
According to the United States Department of Transportation, drowsiness or fatigue plays a role in one to ten percent of the 20 million automobile accidents which occur each year in the United States.
Whether we want to admit it or not, most Americans live a fast-paced lifestyle trying to squeeze 36 hours of living into every 24-hour day. Since many of us refuse to slow down, our bedtime keeps getting pushed back, resulting in inadequate sleep.
The only safe driver is an alert driver. Even the safest drivers become confused and use poor 
judgment when they are sleepy. In order to be a safe driver you must have your eyes open—and that means staying off the road when you're sleepy.
Over 30 million Americans are afflicted with sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy and chronic insomnia. All lead to excessive sleepiness. Most people with sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and are at high risk for a sleep-related accident.
WARNING SIGNS OF FATIGUE:
• Can't remember the last few miles
• Experience wandering or disconnected thoughts
• Have difficulty focusing or keeping eyes open
• Have trouble keeping head up
• Drift from the lane
• Yawn repeatedly
If you are frequently sleepy during the day, contact your physician or sleep disorder center for diagnosis.
TIPS FOR AVOIDING SLEEP-RELATED ACCIDENTS:
• Get a good night's sleep (the average person requires 8 hours)
• Plan to drive long trips with a companion. Conversation helps.
• Relieves tiredness and monotony, so share driving.
• Take a break every 2 hours or 100 miles. Get out and do some exercise or take a 15-20 minute nap.
• Avoid alcohol and medications that could impair performance.
• Keep the car cool and listen to lively music.
• Watch your posture—slouching brings on fatigue.
MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT Drive for long periods at night!”
Drowsy Drivers in the News Again
With holiday travel, parties and late nights already robbing some people of much needed sleep, once again the risk of falling asleep at the wheel is becoming a danger, not just to the drivers themselves, but to other travelers on our highways.
The National Sleep Foundation has issued these bulletins. Please see website: http://sleepdisorders.about.com/cs/sleepdeprivation/a/drowsydrivers.htm
Drowsy Driving and Traffic Safety—How to Combat Drowsy Driving.
Smart Motorist recommends that drivers get sufficient sleep, don't drink alcohol when sleepy, pull over when drowsy, and limit their driving at night—especially between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Please see website: http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/drowsy-driving-and-traffic-safety.html
Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
This week is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Falling asleep while driving is responsible for a surprising number of serious, and often fatal, auto accidents in Maryland and throughout the United States. However, most people do not consider the danger that they cause by operating a motor vehicle while they are tired or drowsy.
Please see website: http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2007/11/07/drowsy-driving/
http://www.drowsydriving.org/
Additional website:
Smart Drivers Brake for Sleep
http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/wellness/drowsydriving/index.htm
Wake up call for drowsy drivers
http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/00/12.7.00/drowsy_drivers.html
