AAA Michigan is sending out a statewide drowsy driving safety alert.
The auto club urging drivers to use extra caution during the first week of Daylight Saving Time.
According to press release, there is a growing concern about the impact of sleep deprivation on safe driving and the increased risks for car crashes during the switch to DST.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s 2016 Traffic Safety Culture Index reports:
- Nearly 3 in 10 drivers reported having driven when they were so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open in the past 30 days.
- Nearly 20 percent of drivers reported having done this more than once.
- Nearly 3 percent of drivers reported having done this fairly often or regularly.
“In today’s fast-paced, 24-7, non-stop, sleep-deprived society, drowsy driving continues to be a safety risk on our roads," said Susan Hiltz, AAA Michigan’s public affairs director, in the release. "Lack of sleep causes loss of focus and can prove dangerous while driving.
“AAA urges motorists across Michigan to be well-rested when they get behind the wheel and do their part to help everyone arrive alive.”
AAA Michigan offers these drive alert safety tips:
- Don’t drive when you are sleepy. Get enough sleep, especially the night before a long trip.
- Travel with a passenger. An alert passenger can watch you for signs of fatigue.
- Take a power nap. Pull off the road to park in a safe place such as a parking lot or rest area. When you wake up, get some exercise and have some caffeine.
- Schedule a break. Take a break every two hours or every 100 miles.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.
Kayla Fortney is a digital producer at WZZM 13. Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.
