Page 11 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – January/February 2022

SAFETY ZONE
Drowsy Driving
‘Stay Awake ... Stay Alive’
You let out a big yawn and open the window to let in some cold air. Driving to and from work in the dark is the pits. We don’t hear enough about drowsy
driving and the risks associated with it. Maybe this is because we are all guilty and don’t want to self-reflect. Driving after a few drinks, sending a quick text or racing after the driver who just cut you off are all clearly poor choices. Working overtime, taking on a second job or taking night classes seem like good choices. We miss out on sleep for a lot of very good reasons. Think about how grateful we are to the volunteer firefighter who gives up a night’s slumber to keep us all safe. We all need to recognize the responsibility we take on every time we pick up the keys. We share the road.
Let’s remind ourselves of the dangers of drowsy driving with some findings from a recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study:
• An estimated 1 in 5 fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver
• More than 1 in 4 drivers (25%) who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year reported that it had occurred between noon and 5 p.m.
• Drivers who miss 2-3 hours of sleep in 24 hours increase their risk of a crash 4 times.
Shutterstock: Maxim Artemchuk
To remain alert and avoid drowsiness, AAA suggests:
• Get plenty of sleep (6-7 hours), especially the night before a long trip
• Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles
• Stop driving if you become sleepy. Even a second
or two of lost focus is just as deadly as texting and
driving.
• Don’t try push though. People who are sleep
deprived or have frequently changing sleep patterns
can nod off with little or no warning.
• Adjust the timing of medications that could lead to
additional drowsiness.
Symptoms of sleepiness include but are not limited to:
• The inability to keep your head up and eyes focused
• Daydreaming/zoning
• Drifting from your lane or tailgating
Despite our busy lifestyles, don’t ignore the risks. Take a break by pulling off the road in a safe location. A nap or a little exercise can be more effective than coffee and energy drinks. A simple suggestion: driving with a buddy substantially lowers the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. Carpool anyone?
Mike Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley.
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