MDOT SHA Reminds Motorists about the Dangers of Drowsy Driving

(March 9, 2018) – Sleep Awareness Week starts on March 11 as we spring clocks forward and Daylight Savings Time begins. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is advising motorists that drowsy driving can be fatal.

Nearly everyone has had an occasion where they nodded off behind the wheel and can attest to just how dangerous it is. MDOT SHA urges drivers to get plenty of rest to make up for the lost hour of sleep before hitting the road.

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), drowsy driving is responsible for tens of thousands of crashes annually. Falling asleep at the wheel is only one aspect of drowsy driving. Weary travelers are also less aware of their surroundings and slower to react to changing situations on the highway. 

 

• Yawning or blinking frequently;

 

• Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven;

 

• Missing an exit or turn;

 

• Drifting from your lane; and

 

• Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road.

• Get plenty of sound sleep. Missing one or two hours can increase a risk of a crash;

 

• Plan travel accordingly. Crashes involving drowsy driving occur in the early morning hours, after lunch and late at night;

 

• Allow ample time between taking medication that makes you drowsy and operating a motor vehicle;

 

• Avoid alcohol;

 

• Exercise. Regular activity releases endorphins, the body’s natural stimulant;

 

• Have a passenger. Someone to talk to helps keep a driver engaged;

 

• Take a pre-trip nap.

Drivers who nod off are encouraged to pull off immediately to a safe location, such as a park and ride, and take a brisk walk or a brief nap. The best solution is to get plenty of rest.