National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

AAA is reminding motorists of the dangers of driving while tired during National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (November 3-10).  “With fall activities in full swing and the end of daylight saving time, there is a greater risk for drowsiness behind the wheel,” said Tiffany Wright, AAA spokesperson. “We urge motorists to get the full recommended amount of sleep each night despite their busy schedules as drowsy driving is now involved in one in five fatal crashes on U.S. roadways each year.”  Symptoms of drowsy driving can include having trouble keeping eyes open, drifting from lanes or not remembering the last few miles driven. However, more than half of the drivers involved in fatigue-related crashes experienced no symptoms before falling asleep behind the wheel. AAA Carolinas urges drivers to not rely on their bodies to provide the warning signs of fatigue, but rather to always get the recommended sleep.  Missing just one to two hours of the recommended seven hours of sleep each day doubles a driver’s risk for a crash, according to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s latest study. It’s an alarming statistic when you consider at least 35 percent of U.S drivers sleep less than the recommended seven hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.