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Crime & Safety

Drowsy Driving a 'Significant Threat' on Roads, says AAA

Young drivers were most likely to report driving "dangerously drowsy," but sleep can overtake even experienced drivers like the 51-year-old Martha's Vineyard man who recently drove his car into a shallow lake in Oak Bluffs.

Written by Les Masterson and Louisa Hufstader

Did you hear about the Martha's Vineyard man who drove his 2002 Audi into Sunset Lake last weekend? Police told local newspapers he was not impaired, but had fallen asleep behind the wheel.

Turns out he's got a lot of company.

More than one in four drivers (28%) reported being “so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open while driving in the past month,” according to new data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Young drivers (19 to 24 years old) were most likely to report driving “dangerously drowsy,” said AAA, which highlighted the risks of drowsy driving in support of theNational Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which runs Nov. 3-10. 

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“Drowsy driving remains a significant threat to the motoring public, with many drivers underestimating the problem of driving while extremely tired, and overestimating their ability to deal with it,” said Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs. “Driving while fatigued is dangerous because it slows reaction time, impairs vision and causes lapses in judgment, similar to driving drunk. We know that people can’t reliably predict when they are going to fall asleep, and a very fatigued driver may fall asleep for several seconds without even realizing it.”

AAA estimated that 17% of fatal crashes, 13% of crashes resulting in hospitalization and 7% of all crashes requiring a tow involve a drowsy driver.

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AAA gave these warnings signs that may signify drowsiness while driving:

  • The inability to recall the last few miles traveled
  • Having disconnected or wandering thoughts
  • Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
  • Feeling as though your head is very heavy
  • Drifting out of your driving lane, perhaps driving on the rumble strips
  • Yawning repeatedly
  • Accidentally tailgating other vehicles
  • Missing traffic signs

 

AAA gives these tips to remain alert and be safer behind the wheel:

  • Get plenty of sleep (at least seven hours), especially the night before a long drive
  • Drive at times when you are normally awake
  • Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles
  • Avoid heavy foods
  • Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving
  • Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment
  • Consult with a sleep specialist or other medical professional if you have trouble getting enough rest or are chronically fatigued
Do you have any tips for keeping sleep at bay behind the wheel? Please, share them in the comments.
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