Drowsy Drivers

  Sleepy drivers are an under-reported road hazard.  In fact, the chauffer involved in last year's Red Wings limo accident cited
lack of sleep as the cause of the crash.

  If you see someone swerving on the road.. steer clear!  Drowsy drivers are a bigger threat to the public than many people realize. Losing a few hours of sleep can cause impairment similar to drinking three cans of beer.  That's why medical researchers are issuing a national warning.

 We've all been down this road when the eyes droop, the
mind wanders, so you turn up the radio, but you still find yourself drifting out of conciousness.

  Dr. Michael Williams- "About one hundred thousand accidents per year are related to sleepiness.  That's one to three percent of all accidents. and if you look at fatal accidents, the numbers almost double."  

 The danger signs for sleepy drivers include eyes closing or going out of focus, head nodding, yawning nonstop, wandering or disconnected thoughts, not remembering driving the last few minutes, drifting between lanes, jerking the car back into the lane or drifting off the road and narrowly missing a crash. 

  Dr. Michael Williams- "To learn that ninety-six percent of these crashes are, in fact, people just like you and me, people who drive cars to and from work, driving on vacation.  I think that's very important for us all to recognize.  We're really
the persons who are at risk."

  Ninety-six percent of sleep-related crashes involve passenger vehicles, like the limousine Richard Gnida was driving the night two Red Wings team members suffered serious head injuries.  Gnida told investigators he simply fell asleep at the wheel.

 Researchers found those at increased risk for sleep-related crashes include young drivers, shift workers, drivers who drink or take sedatives, people with sleep disorders, and commercial truck drivers. 

  Doctors say opening a window, turning up the radio, or doing jumping jacks on the side of the road doesn't work. Sleep is the only safe alternative. As for filling up on coffee or
caffeine-- experts say in many circumstances it simply results in a sleepy and jittery driver.

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