Florida Makes It Law To Educate Drivers On The Dangers Of Drowsy Driving by George Murphy

Florida Makes It Law To Educate Drivers On The Dangers Of Drowsy Driving

 by: George Murphy

Drowsy Driver Awareness Week will mark the start of September in the state of Florida from this year forward. The new law makes Florida the latest state to pass a law requiring education on the dangers of drowsy driving. Locally the bill was known as The RonShay Dugan Act.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy drivers cause approximately 100,000 automobile crashes a year. The definition of a drowsy driver does however vary from state to state, but every state's definition hinges around the concept of a fatigued driver. A Palm Beach car crash lawyer suggests other words that are commonly used interchangeably for fatigue in traffic settings, including: sleepy, tired, exhausted, and drowsy (the namesake adjective for the law in question).

While each state may use differing words, the effects of drossiness 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

States' reporting practices on sleep impaired driving often differ beyond the use of different language to define drowsy driving. Wisconsin and Missouri do not actually have specific codes for fatigue or "falling asleep" in the field. While a Palm Beach car crash lawyer feels that Florida is moving in the correct direction with Drowsy Driver Awareness Week, he and others think states can do more. New Jersey remains the harshest state when it comes to drowsy driving law; it is actually a criminal offense to operate an automobile while sleep impaired in the state.

No one seems to be able agree on how to precisely word the act of drowsy driving, but everyone it seems is capable of doing it. According to The National Sleep Foundation's 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60 per cent of adults have admitted to driving while feeling drowsy in the last year. Even more upsetting is that another 37 per cent admitted to actually falling asleep while driving.

Other startling statistics from an NSF 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 daytime schedule to drive to or from work drowsy at least a few days a month (36% vs. 25%).

To fight these damaging behaviors, a Palm Beach car crash lawyer suggest these beneficial countermeasures before you get into the car:

-Get adequate sleepmost adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day

-Schedule proper breaksabout every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips

-Arrange for a travel companionsomeone to talk with and share the driving

-Avoid alcohol and sedating medicationscheck 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

Stephanie C. Kopelousos, The Florida Department of Transportation Secretary, pledged her support for Drowsy Driving Week, and promoting positive education on the subject. "Our message is very simple: Don't drive drowsy," said Kopelousos, "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."

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