Fall Asleep At Home, Not Behind The Wheel : Impacts of Drowsy Driving

Fall Asleep At Home, Not Behind The Wheel : Impacts of Drowsy Driving

Every morning, as I walk to my 8 am class and as my sister drives home from her 12 hour shift as a nurse we call each other so we can catch up since I go to school hundreds of miles away from home. I hung up as class started, an hour passed and as I left class and checked my phone I saw 2 calls from my mom and another call from my sister. I called my mother back since my sister was not able to pick up. She informed me that a driver who was tired from work and was speeding to get home had hit the rear end of my sister’s car. Fortunately, my sister and the driver did not receive fatal injuries. However, it proved to me the impact of careless and drowsy driving could have on not only me but my family and to countless families who have nurses, doctors, teachers, students, etc. that prove, especially, in our pandemic to be essential in providing care to others.

328,000 drowsy driving accidents occur annually, according to a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study and almost half receive injuries. Being drowsy due to long periods of time can have the same implications as being intoxicated but can significantly increase the likeliness of accidents.

Self-awareness of fatigue and tiredness can mediate these fatalities. Understanding when one is tired is key in reducing said state. It is important to keep a healthy and awake state when behind the wheel, therefore, before one should maintain healthy practices such as sleeping for a good amount of time (7-9 hours), when taking medication it is important to read medical labels since many can promote drowsiness, and taking a rest before one drives if one feels tired. If one wishes to make a larger impact hold not only yourself accountable but those around you. Seeing or knowing someone who shows excessive yawning, has not slept for over 20 hours, inability to focus or dozing off, inconsistent speed when driving, drifting lanes, and overall shows fatigue, and telling them to take a rest or offering to help in any way so that they will not drive shows initiative to keeping roads and lives safer.

They say the achievement of a driver’s license garners autonomy and opportunity. However, what is overlooked especially in our society is the heavy burden of ignorance and mixed priorities. We see signs flashing on freeways and roads, “Don’t text and drive!” or “Drive like your children live here,” however, many assume, myself included, that these are signs not directed at myself but the next driver. This cycle goes on, if you do not learn how to empathize with people or understand that with a driver’s license comes a larger responsibility of not only those inside the car but impacts those outside. Hence, why with self education and self checks we can create a better environment that removes or limits the accidents by significant numbers.

https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatigued-driving