You Snooze You Lose – Don’t Drive Drowsy!

You Snooze You Lose – Don’t Drive Drowsy

Feeling Sleepy? Save A Life…Pull Off The Road
Drowsy Driving is Dangerous Driving
August 29, 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Do you fight to keep your eyes open and your head up when you are tired? All too often this scenario is real on Florida’s roadways. To help prevent crashes caused by driver fatigue and to bring awareness to the dangers of drowsy driving, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation are teaming up with lawmakers and safety advocates during Florida’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week on Sept. 1–7 in memory of Ronshay Dugans, who was killed in 2008.

“Alert drivers make for safer roads,” says DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “To help get everyone home safely, the Department reminds motorists never to drive tired.”

FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said, “The department recognizes that making our roads safer includes driver responsibility and encourages all motorists not to drive drowsy. Be alert every trip, every time you get behind the wheel.”

“Six years ago, the life of a little girl was tragically taken in a crash that easily could have been prevented,” said state Representative Alan Williams, who sponsored the legislation in 2010. “Drowsy driving can be eliminated by simply planning and making a conscious decision to pull over and rest when you’re tired. I applaud Ronshay’s family for keeping her memory alive and fighting to prevent other senseless deaths.”

How to prevent fatigue driving:

  • Allow plenty of time to get to your final destination.
  • Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
  • Drink caffeine. Two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.
  • Drive sober.
  • Get a good night’s sleep before you travel.
  • Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.
  • Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep.
  • Use the buddy system, switch drivers when needed.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov, follow us on Twitter @FLHSMV or find us on Facebook.

Source: DHSMV