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Florida Is The Latest State To Pass A Drowsy Driving Prevention Bill

In the state of Florida, the first week of September will now be known as Drowsy Driver Awareness Week.   With this law’s recent passing, Florida becomes the 18th state mandating public education on the risk of drowsy driving.  The law is known locally as The RonShay Dugan Act.

The first week of every September in the state of Florida will be now be known as Drowsy Driver Awareness Week.   This new law makes Florida the 18th state to pass a law mandating education on the dangers of drowsy driving.  The bill championing this law is known locally as The RonShay Dugan Act.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are approximately 100,000 car crashes a year that are caused by drowsy drivers.  The definition of a drowsy driver may somewhat vary from state to state, but each state's definition includes the concept of a fatigued driver.  A Palm Beach auto accident attorney explains that states often use words for fatigue interchangeably in traffic settings, including: tired, sleepy, exhausted, and drowsy (for which the law was named).

While each state may use differing words, the effects of drowsiness are the same.  The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reports that “sleepiness or fatigue” will cause the following:

-Impaired reaction time, judgment and vision
-Problems with information processing and short-term memory
-Decreased performance, vigilance and motivation
-Increased moodiness and aggressive behaviors

Besides the different uses of language to define the act of drowsy driving, states’ reporting practices on sleep impaired driving differ as well.   Missouri and Wisconsin do not even have specific codes for fatigue or “falling asleep.”  While a Palm Beach auto accident attorney believes Florida is moving in the right direction with its new law, New Jersey remains the strictest state when it comes to drowsy driving.  It is actually a criminal offense to operate a vehicle while sleep impaired in New Jersey.

While no one can agree on how to precisely define drowsy driving, it seems that unfortunately everyone is doing it.  According to The National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adults have admitted to driving while feeling drowsy in the last year, and even more startling, another 37% admitted to falling asleep while driving.  Scary statistics says a Palm Beach car crash lawyer in the know.

Other surprising statistics from the National Sleep Foundation poll, this one conducted in 2002 include:

-Adults between 18-29 are much more likely to drive while drowsy compared to other age groups (71% vs. 30-64, 52% vs. 65+, 19%).

-Men are more likely than women to drive while drowsy (56% vs. 45%) and are almost twice as likely as women to fall asleep while driving (22% vs. 12%).

-Adults with children in the household are more likely to drive drowsy than those without children (59% vs. 45%).

-Shift workers are more likely than those who work a regular daylight schedule to drive to or from work drowsy at least a few days a month (36% vs. 25%).

A Palm Beach auto accident attorney recommends the following courses of action if you do find yourself in a situation where you feel you may engage in or are already engaging in drowsy driving:

-Get adequate sleep—most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper watchfulness during the day

-Schedule proper breaks—roughly every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips

-Arrange for a touring companion—someone to talk with and share the driving

-Avoid alcohol and sedating medications—check your labels or ask your doctor

If you do find yourself in a situation where you feel you may be engaging in drowsy driving, a Palm Beach car crash lawyer recommends these courses of action:

-STOP DRIVING!
-Take a nap
-Drink a caffeinated beverage.
-Be aware of rumble strips

The Florida Department of Transportation Secretary, Stephanie C. Kopelousos, is on board with all of these efforts, pledging her support for Drowsy Driving Week. Stephanie Kopelouso had this say in regards to Florida’s drowsy driving education,
“Our message is very simple: Don’t drive drowsy.  If you’re tired, let someone else take the wheel or get off the road and get some rest. The life you save might be your own.”