New Florida Law Births Drowsy Driver Awareness Week

The first week of every September in the state of Florida will be now be known as Drowsy Driver Awareness Week. This new law makes Florida the 18th state to pass a law mandating education on the dangers of drowsy driving. The bill championing this law is known locally as The RonShay Dugan Act.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy drivers cause approximately 100,000 automobile crashes a year. The definition of a drowsy driver does however vary from state to state, but every state's definition hinges around the concept of a fatigued driver. A Palm Beach car crash lawyer suggests other words that are commonly used interchangeably for fatigue in traffic settings, including: sleepy, tired, exhausted, and drowsy (the namesake adjective for the law in question).

While the words may be different, their effects remain the same. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reports that "sleepiness or fatigue" causes the following:

-Impaired reaction time, judgment and vision

-Problems with information processing and short-term memory

-Decreased performance, vigilance and motivation

-Increased moodiness and aggressive behaviors

Besides the different uses of language to define the act of drowsy driving, states' reporting practices on sleep impaired driving differ as well. Missouri and Wisconsin do not even have specific codes for fatigue or "falling asleep." While a Palm Beach auto accident attorney believes Florida is moving in the right direction with its new law, New Jersey remains the strictest state when it comes to drowsy driving. It is actually a criminal offense to operate a vehicle while sleep impaired in New Jersey.

While no one can agree on how to precisely define drowsy driving, it seems that unfortunately everyone is doing it. According to The National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adults have admitted to driving while feeling drowsy in the last year, and even more startling, another 37% admitted to falling asleep while driving.

Other startling statistics from an NSF poll, this one conducted in 2002 include:

-Adults between 18-29 are much more likely to drive while drowsy compared to other age groups (71% vs. 30-64, 52% vs. 65+, 19%).

-Men are more likely than women to drive while drowsy (56% vs. 45%) and are almost twice as likely as women to fall asleep while driving (22% vs. 12%).

-Adults with children in the household are more likely to drive drowsy than those without children (59% vs. 45%).

-Shift workers are more likely than those who work a regular daytime schedule to drive to or from work drowsy at least a few days a month (36% vs. 25%).

To fight these damaging behaviors, a Palm Beach car crash lawyer suggest these beneficial countermeasures before you get into the car:

-Get adequate sleep—most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day

-Schedule proper breaks—about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips

-Arrange for a travel companion—someone to talk with and share the driving

-Avoid alcohol and sedating medications—check your labels or ask your doctor

If you do find yourself in a situation where you feel you may be engaging in drowsy driving, a Palm Beach car crash lawyer recommends these courses of action:

-STOP DRIVING! -Take a nap -Drink a caffeinated beverage. -Be aware of rumble strips

Stephanie C. Kopelousos, The Florida Department of Transportation Secretary, pledged her support for Drowsy Driving Week, and promoting positive education on the subject. "Our message is very simple: Don't drive drowsy," said Kopelousos, "If you're tired, let someone else take the wheel or get off the road and get some rest. The life you save might be your own."