WAKE UP! THIS IS DROWSY DRIVING PREVENTION WEEK

If you’ve ever nodded off while driving, you are among 40 percent of U.S. drivers who have admitted to falling asleep while driving, according to AAA. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that between 5,000 and 7,000 highway Americans are killed each year due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel. More than 31 percent of all drivers report problems staying awake behind the wheel, while nearly 40 percent of drivers between the ages of 19 and 24 struggled to stay awake at least once during the past month, making this age group the most likely to nod off. With one in six fatal traffic crashes due to driving while fatigued, the California Highway Patrol designated this week as National Drowsing Driving Prevention Week to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while drowsy.