Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
June 1, 2011
Contact:
Lieutenant Kandi Patrick
Phone:
(509) 682-8103
E-mail:
Kandi.Patrick@wsp.wa.gov
Getting Enough Sleep Can Save Your Life on the Roads
Wenatchee Washington State Patrol (WSP) Captain Karen DeWitt urges you to get enough sleep before making a trip. Over Memorial weekend, Wenatchee WSP investigated three collisions involving drowsy drivers, two which resulted in fatal injuries, and the third resulting in serious injuries to the driver.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and more than 100,000 accidents each year. Their study shows that drowsy driving is a factor in about one in six deadly crashes, one in eight crashes resulting in occupant hospitalization, and one in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed.
Feeling Sleepy? Stop Driving!
Warning Signs: If you start to do the following, it’s time to get off the road. Find a safe place to pull over.
- Have problems focusing, blink frequently and/or have heavy eyelids;
- Drift from your lane, swerve, tailgate and/or hit rumble strips;
- Have trouble remembering the last few miles driven;
- Miss exits or traffic signs;
- Have trouble keeping your head up;
- Yawn repeatedly;
- Or finding yourself rolling down the windows or turning up the radio.
Sleepiness can impair drivers by causing slower reaction times, vision impairment, lapses in judgment, and delays in processing information. In fact, studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the legal limit in all states. It is also possible to fall into a 3-4 second micro-sleep without realizing it which equates to traveling the length of a football field while unconscious at 65 MPH.
Prevent a fall-asleep crash by getting enough sleep the night before and by knowing the warning signs of sleepiness and using appropriate countermeasures.
National Sleep Foundation’s Countermeasures to Prevent Fall-Asleep Crashes:
- Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road. You’ll want to be alert for the drive, so be sure to get adequate sleep (seven to nine hours) the night before you go.
- Don’t be too rushed to arrive at your destination. Many drivers try to maximize the holiday weekend by driving at night or without stopping for breaks. It’s better to allow the time to drive alert and arrive alive.
- Use the buddy system. Just as you should not swim alone, avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue.
- Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours. Do something to refresh yourself like getting a snack, switching drivers, or going for a run.
- Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up.
- Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness as a side-effect.
- Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
- Consume caffeine. The equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.