October 31, 2024
The Importance of Preventing Drowsy Driving
We have discussed the importance of being alert while driving aplenty, and the conversation is continuing with drowsy driving prevention being the next topic. The National Sleep Foundation has designated November 3-9, 2024, as this year’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. The goal for this week is to shed awareness on the dangers of driving drowsy and to educate drivers about the effects of drowsiness, possible consequences, and prevention methods.
How Being Drowsy Affects Your Brain
Everyone has had one of those days where sleepiness tends to linger or return during the day, not wanting to wait until bedtime. These excessive daytime slumber attacks define drowsiness and can tax our brains. We all wish for the ideal schedule of sleeping 8 hours a night and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated throughout the day until it’s time for bed again. That luxury isn’t felt by truckers, nurses, or those with occupations beyond the norm of a 9-5 when figuring out how to deal with sleep problems becomes essential. The leading cause of drowsiness is inadequate sleep, but other factors can also contribute to heavy eyes during the day.
Some medicines, like antihistamines, can cause drowsiness. Rising or falling blood sodium levels and increased calcium in the blood are also causes of drowsiness. Feeling drowsy can impair the brain and reduce reaction time, making it dangerous for anyone who steps behind the wheel.
Why Awareness for Drowsy Driving is Important

Drowsy Driver Prevention Week is happening to raise awareness of the dangers associated with driving while drowsy. An average of 100,000 crashes are caused by fatigued drivers each year. It’s normal to feel sleepy when driving at night; our bodies are naturally wired to want sleep when the sun goes down. Not many of us think about becoming drowsy behind the wheel during the day, but it happens more often than we think, and staying awake while driving is vital for preventing accidents. No matter how close the destination is, don’t get behind the wheel if you’re feeling drowsy.

How to Get Better Sleep and Prevent Drowsiness
Those working on the road or at inconvenient hours may find it hard to get enough sleep each night to prevent daytime sleepiness. The NSF shared a chart with information about how to get better sleep, which can be beneficial for making the most of the time you have to dedicate to sleep. It can be challenging to battle fatigue on the road, but finding something that works becomes lifesaving. Other ways to prevent drowsiness are to avoid medicines that may cause it and check your usual intake because sometimes you don’t realize the medications that make you drowsy.
Raising awareness over essential topics like drowsy driving is done to illuminate a danger we don’t actively think about every day and extend our understanding of the topic. No matter the reason for falling eyelids behind the wheel, they’re still dangerous and should be avoided even for short trips. Sometimes, stopping for a 10-minute nap can save lives.
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Other Recommended Readings from Our Blog:
Stress Awareness For Truck Drivers
Mental Health Awareness for Truckers