2007-59
PRESS RELEASE: November 2, 2007
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT:
Lieutenant John A. Eichkorn
(785) 296-6800
Technical Trooper Edna Buttler (785) 296-6800
Henry Johns, Pulmonary & Sleep Associates of Kansas (785) 234-5480
KHP Promotes Drowsy Driving Awareness Campaign
The Kansas Highway Patrol is joining Pulmonary & Sleep Associates of Kansas, the Kansas Association of Sleep Professionals, and the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in support of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is a new national campaign to help save the lives by raising awareness of the dangers of drowsy driving. The first Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is November 5-11, 2007, following the change back from Daylight Saving Time.
"Like alcohol and drugs, sleep loss and fatigue impair driving skills, such as hand-eye coordination, reaction time, awareness of surroundings, decision-making, and inhibition,"said Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel William R. Seck. "The Patrol is committed to the safety of all motorists, and participating in the drowsy driving prevention campaign is an opportunity for our agency to reach the public with important lifesaving messages."
In Kansas, there were 819 crashes in 2006 attributed to a driver who fell asleep. Falling asleep while driving can be considered reckless driving, which is defined as willfully driving with disregard for the safety of persons or property. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum of five to a maximum of 90 days imprisonment, a fine of $25 to $500, or both upon a first offense.
Follow these tips before your trip to help prevent falling asleep at the wheel:
- Get enough sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours, and most teens need 8.5-9.5 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day.
- Schedule proper breaks once every 100 miles or every 2 hours during long trips.
- Arrange for a travel companion if possible - someone to talk with and share the driving.
- Avoid alcohol and sedating medications. Check your labels or ask your doctor.
- Watch for the warning signs of fatigue.
Warning signs of fatigue include turning up the radio or rolling down the window; impaired reaction time; decreased performance or motivation; daydreaming; yawning/rubbing your eyes; drifting from your lane, tailgating, or missing signs/exits; feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive; or trouble focusing, keeping your eyes open or your head up.
Take the following precautions if you feel fatigued or are experiencing any of the above warnings signs while driving:
- Stop driving. Pull off at the next exit or rest area, or find a place to sleep for the night.
- Take a nap. Find a safe place and take a 15-20 minute nap. More than 20 minutes can make you groggy for 15 minutes or more after waking.
- Let a passenger take over driving.
"There is no substitute for sleep, no matter how much coffee you drink or what you do to stimulate your body,"said Henry Johns, Sleep Center Director at Pulmonary and Sleep Associates of Kansas. "Once you reach a certain level of fatigue, there's no stopping it. Your body needs sleep."
Go to www.drowsydriving.org for more information about the drowsy driving campaign.