Drowsy driving an issue in recent crashes
<div class="PlainText">To the editor:</div>
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<div class="PlainText">I write this with a heavy heart and with sorrow to report that we have had three deaths on state highways here in Perry County in the last two weeks. Families, friends and community members have all been affected. All three crashes involved different people, different vehicles and different sections of roadway. But there is one common denominator: drowsy driving! <br /> I don't know all the circumstances involved, but I do know that we grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, and I am committed to trying to do something to bring awareness and try to impact this recent trend. I want you to make it home from a long night out, or following working at your place of employment.<br /> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.<br /> According to NSF's 2000 Sleep in America poll, about one in five drivers (22 percent) said they pull over to nap when driving drowsy. Older adults are more likely to pull over and nap than younger drivers, who are most likely to drive when drowsy and least likely to pull over and nap.<br /> People tend to fall asleep more on high-speed, long, boring, rural highways. However, those who live in urban areas are more likely to doze off while driving compared to people in rural or suburban areas (24 percent vs. 17 percent).<br /> Most crashes or near misses occur between 4 and 6 a.m. Midnight to 2 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. are also peak times for crashes to occur. Nearly one-quarter of adults (23 percent) say they know someone personally who has crashed due to falling asleep at the wheel.<br /> We are seeing these statistics come to light in these recent crashes. Crashes of this nature effect our entire community. We all share these roads and it is so important that we drive with everyone's foremost safety in mind. I plead with you! If you find yourself feeling drowsy. Pull over, walk around your car. Stop and get yourself something to eat or drink. If you have to, stop and sleep in your car for an hour.<br /> Please use good judgment when driving. We all have to share these roads in our daily lives.'<br /> I want you to make it home safe and sound!<br /> <br /> Respectfully,<br /> <br /> <strong>Steve Bareis</strong><br /><em> Perry County Sheriff</em></div>
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