Driving tired is the same as driving drunk!

Driving Drowsy: Despite what most people may think, driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. “According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! In fact, of those who have nodded off, 13% say they have done so at least once a month. Four percent – approximately eleven million drivers – admit they have had an accident or near accident because they dozed off or were too tired to drive.” (DrowsyDriving.org).

According to the National Sleep Foundation, people who are male, are between the age of 18 and 29, have children, or are shift workers are more susceptible to falling asleep at the wheel. One would think that crashing while tired is just like any normal accident, but if one is found to be drowsy or asleep during the crash, the consequences could be jail time, suspension of license, or a fine.

Symptoms and ways to prevent drowsy driving? Symptoms according to the National Sleep Foundation are frequent blinking, difficulty focusing, frequent yawning, drifting from your lane, forgetfulness, and daydreaming. If you or someone that is driving experience these symptoms, take a nap before you get behind the wheel; if it is a longer trip, take a nap part way through the trip so that you are rested and ready to go. Drinking caffeine is a good way to stay alert, but it will wear off after several hours. Remember it is better to arrive safe than not at all.

Driving Drunk: Driving under the influence is not only dangerous; it is also illegal. Some hard facts about DUI are as follows. Alcohol is involved in about 40% of all fatal car crashes. On average, a drunk driver will drive 80 times under the influence before their first arrest. Every 51 minutes in America, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash. That equates to 27 people every day. For drivers under 21, the U.S. has a No Tolerance policy that does not allow any alcohol to be in the blood system while behind the wheel. The consequences could include expensive fines, loss of license, or jail.

According to dosomething.org, an organization dedicated to stopping drunk driving, someone who is more susceptible to drunk driving is someone with a history of alcohol abuse, with a recent loss, or a mentally unstable person. But anyone that is under the influence of alcohol is susceptible to DUI. Teens who experience alcohol at a young age are 7 times more likely to be involved in an alcohol-related accident.

Drowsy/Drunk: If you or someone you know is in the habit of driving drowsy or drunk, get help now before you or someone you love hurts other or themselves.