November 2 – November 8: Drowsy Driver Prevention Week

Driving while drowsy is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates over 100,000 crashes each year are due to driver fatigue

According to the Centers of Disease Control those at higher risk for sleep-related crashes are:

• Young drivers – 16-25 years old are at a higher risk due to the combination of inexperience with sleepiness and a tendency to drive at night.

• Shift workers and people working long hours – People who work night shifts or double shifts have a six-fold increase in drowsy driving crashes.

• Commercial drivers – Those who drive a high number of miles and drive at night are at significantly higher risk for fall-asleep crashes.

• People with untreated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea– People with untreated sleep apnea are up to seven times more likely to have a drowsy driving crash.

• Business travelers – Frequent travelers who may be suffering from jet lag and crossing time zones, spending long hours behind the wheel.