Although 96 percent of Americans feel it is unacceptable for someone to drive when they are so sleepy they have trouble keeping their eyes open, about one-third of Americans admit doing so, according to a recent study by the AAA Foundation. To help prevent deaths and injuries, the Slidell Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorders Center is sending out tips to help members of the community prevent driving drowsy.
"This study also estimates that about one in six deadly crashes involve a drowsy driver. Everyone should know what they can do to prevent a drowsy driving-related crash. Knowing what to do could save your life,” said SMH Sleep Disorders Center director Carol Estopinal.
The SMH Sleep Disorders Center recommends the following to do before you hit the road:
· Get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
· Schedule driving breaks every 100 miles or two hours.
· Take a nap; find a safe place to nap for 15 to 20 minutes.
· Drink caffeine. The equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.
In addition, the Sleep Disorders Center recommends you STOP driving if you notice these warning signs:
· Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, heavy eyelids
· Difficulty keeping reveries or daydreams at bay
· Trouble keeping your head up
· Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating
· Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
· Missing exits or traffic signs
· Yawning repeatedly
· Feeling restless, irritable or aggressive
"From our own work, we know many people are tired, say they aren't sleeping well or that they're under stress from working longer hours. These are conditions that can lead directly to driving when you're really too sleepy to be behind the wheel safely,” Estopinal said. "If your lack of sleep has become chronic or is causing you health concerns, you should consider coming to a Sleep Disorders Center like ours to diagnose your problems. We're here to help.”
The SMH Sleep Disorders Center is located at the SMH Founders Building, 1150 Robert Blvd., 2nd Floor. For more information, call (985) 649-8823.
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ABOUT SMH
Slidell Memorial Hospital is a full-service 182-bed acute care not-for-profit community hospital located at 1001 Gause Blvd., in the heart of Slidell. Founded in 1959, SMH serves as a primary healthcare resource for families in St. Tammany Parish, La.; and, Pearl River County, Miss. For more information, visit http://www.slidellmemorial.org/ . The hospital's main phone number is (985) 643-2200.
