Don’t Sleep on These Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving

Summer has come to a close, and that means shorter days and longer nights for Penske’s professional drivers and drivers everywhere.

Summer’s end may leave you feeling more tired than usual in the mornings from the decreasing amounts of daylight, causing the days to feel much shorter as autumn nears. All pose as major risks and could lead to drowsiness on the road.

The recommended amount of sleep is seven hours. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 35 percent of drivers in the United States sleep less than the recommended amount.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers who lose up to two hours of sleep in a 24-hour period nearly double their risk of a car crash. Drivers who only get between four to five hours of sleep have a crash rate of approximately 4.3 times the regular amount.

How do you know if you are feeling drowsy while driving? Some symptoms include struggling to keep your eyes open, daydreaming and missing road signs.

Falling asleep behind the wheel of a truck or car is extremely dangerous to you and others on the road and puts everyone at risk. Fatigue and exhaustion affect your reaction time when driving. Tamra Johnson, public relations manager for AAA, emphasizes the importance of taking the time to sleep before you hit the road.

“AAA urges drivers to not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs of fatigue and should instead prioritize getting plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) in their daily schedules,” said Johnson.

AAA has many suggestions to avoid drowsy driving while on the road:

• Take turns and share the driving load with an alert passenger
• Schedule a break every two hours
• Avoid heavy foods
• Drink something with caffeine
• Stop driving if you feel sleepy

Penske is the exclusive moving truck rental provider for AAA and CAA members. Be sure to show your AAA or CAA membership card to save more than 20 percent on your next rental truck with Penske. So remember, Penske Truck Rental and AAA save you more on your moving budget.

By Chris Abruzzo