Drowsy driving poses a serious risk to safety and costs employers billions each year in crashes. While some statistics attribute only a small percentage of crashes to drowsy driving, more recent studies show the percentage may be much higher, with drowsy driving involved in up to 21% of fatal crashes. To avoid drowsy driving, it is important for drivers to get a full night's rest before commuting by avoiding blue light before bed, not eating late, and establishing a consistent bedtime routine.

1. FSA – Keeping You Safe
Drowsy Driving Prevention
The earlymorningcommute towork isa traditionsharedbymillionsof commutersall overthe world,butit also
presentsdangerstobe wary of.Accordingto the Networkof EmployersforTrafficSafety (NETS),itisestimatedthatthe
overall costof trafficcrashesto employersinthe UnitedStatesfor2013 was a massive $47.4 billion,includingmedical
care, liability,lossof productivity,andpropertydamage.
Drowsydrivingisof particularconcern.Althoughsome governmentstatisticsattribute drowsydrivingtojustbelow4%
of all trafficaccidents,updatedstudiesbythe AAA FoundationforTrafficSafetyshow that“an estimated6%of all
crashesin whicha vehicle wastowedfromthe scene,7% of crashesinwhicha personreceivedtreatmentforinjuries
sustainedinthe crash,13% of crashesin whicha personwashospitalized,and21% of crashesinwhicha personwas
killedinvolvedadrowsydriver.” FortunatelyNETShascreateda handy fact sheettohelpcommuterstake backtheir
bedtime.
To bestavoiddrowsydrivingincidentsitisimperative thatdriverscommittogettingafull night’srestthe daypriorto
theircommute.Here are some quicktipsto cutback badsleepinghabitsandreplace themwithpositive ones:
 Avoidblue-and-white lightemanatingfromtablets,phones,orotherelectronicdeviceslate atnight;studies
showit preventsourbrainsfromreleasingmelatonin,ahormone thattellsourbodiesit’snighttime
 Late nightdiningwon’tleave enoughtime todigestyourfoodandyoucouldbe keptawake byheartburn,gas or
a sugar or caffeine-fueledenergysurge.It’sbesttofinishdinneratleasttwohoursbefore bed
 A bedtime ritual iskeytoa goodnight’ssleep,foradultsaswell askids.Establishabedtimeroutine foryourself
and aimto stickto it nightlyfora consistentsleepschedule

2. For more tips, please visit the Florida Sheriffs Association’s Crime Prevention Tips