Drowsy Driving Awareness Week

Drowsy Driving Week Press Release

Drivers:

1. Watch for warning signs of fatigue. Turning up the radio or rolling down the window. Trouble focusing or keeping your eyes open or head up, feeling restless, irritable or aggressive.
2. If you feel drowsy while driving, pull off into a safe rest area, and take a 15-20 minute nap.
3. Schedule breaks on long trips. About every 100 miles or 2 hours of driving you deserve a break.
4. Arrange for a travel companion. Having someone share the driving and talk helps to limit fatigue.
5. Avoid alcohol and sedating medications before driving. Drinking and driving is illegal and will make you much sleepier.
6. Get enough sleep before driving. Most adults need 7-9 hours sleep a day. While most teens need 8.5-9.5 hours per day to keep alert.
7. Drive during normal waking hours. Most drowsy crashes occur between midnight and 6:00 am, when the body’s need for sleep is the greatest.

Pedestrians & Bicyclists:

8. Be particularly alert when crossing streets and watch for approaching motorists. If drowsy, they may drift from their travel lanes and have slow reaction times.
9. Use the sidewalk. If there is none, walk against traffic so you can watch for approaching motorists and erratic behavior.
10. Ride with the flow of traffic, on the right side of the road.Scan frequently behind you or use a mirror to see vehicles approaching from behind.