Kentucky Drivers Are Reminded To Stay Awake When Driving

According to statistics from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, it is clear – drowsy driving kills. The Foundation’s 2010 study, “Asleep at the Wheel,” found an estimated one in six (16.5%) fatal crashes in the United States last year was caused by a drowsy driver. In addition, in a recent AAA survey, one-third of all drivers in the United States “admitted driving when they were so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open in the past month.” 

AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger said in a press release, “Although the vast majority of drivers recognize the serious threat of drowsy driving, a ‘Do as I Say, Not as I Do’ attitude exists when getting behind the wheel.”  He adds, “Drowsy driving kills, just as sure as drunk, drugged and distracted driving does.” 

In an effort to reduce the number of fatigue-related crashes and to save lives, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has declared the week of November 6 -12 as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (DDPW). This annual campaign provides public education about the “under-reported risks of driving while drowsy and countermeasures to improve safety on the road.” 

While the week primarily targets young drivers, NSF realizes that shift workers, commercial drivers and sleep disorder sufferers are also susceptible to driving when fatigued. Claiming nearly 5,600 teenage lives each year, traffic crashes are the number one killer of U.S. teens. The NSF further reports “sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night.” 

Kentucky acknowledges the dangers of drowsy driving by offering a drowsy driving fact sheet through the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. According to the information, in 2010 there were 1,513 Kentucky automobile crashes related to driver fatigue, resulting in 761 injuries and 30 fatalities. The fact sheet offers tips for recognizing signs of fatigue, how to stay alert when behind the wheel as well as tips for a better night’s sleep. 

In addition, anti-drowsy driving information can be found in KY’s Commercial Driver’s Manual. With truck drivers and bus drivers spending countless hours behind the wheel, Kentucky officials realize that it is critical that commercial drivers remain alert. Kentucky has opened its truck weigh stations to truckers needing safe overnight parking spaces for sleeping accommodations. 

The following information from the KY Office of Highway Safety for recognizing the danger signals of drowsy driving is pertinent to all Kentucky drivers: 

• You have trouble keeping your head up.
• You can’t stop yawning.
• You have wandering, disconnected thoughts.
• You don’t remember driving the last few miles.
• You drift between lanes, tailgate, or miss traffic signs.
• You keep jerking your vehicle back into the lane.
• You have drifted off the road and narrowly missed crashing. 

According to AAA data, about 57 percent of drowsy driving crashes involved the driver drifting into other lanes or off the road. Our Kentucky car accident attorneys urge all drivers to stay alert when driving and to become familiar with the symptoms and dangers of driving while drowsy. Do your part to keep our Kentucky highways safe.