AAA raises awareness for drowsy driving in November

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The first week of November is set aside to raise awareness for drowsy driving. 

“National Sleep Foundation has a national drowsy driving awareness week, and this is to raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving,” said Megan Cooper, Public Relations for AAA. 

One in 25 drivers have admitted to falling asleep while driving. 

Young adults, late workers and those with sleeping disorders are at high risk for drowsy driving. 

According to Tennessee Traffic Safety, 1.2 million collisions have drowsy driving as a cause. 

“For the most part with drowsy driving, why it’s important is one of those issues that is often overlooked,” Cooper said. “A lot of times we do not think of drowsy driving as something risky or bad, but in reality, it is impairing our ability to drive as safely as we possibly can.”

There are a couple of things that may cause you to be a drowsy driver. 

Those can include trouble focusing, swerving off the road and feeling restless. 

However, there are certain things you can do to avoid these symptoms.  

“Make sure you are getting a good night’s sleep before you get up and drive. Make sure you are checking your medications. Then lastly, when you are driving late at night, make sure that you are being extra cautious when you are driving,” Copper concluded.