Now that most of the country has fell back to end daylight savings time, The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides free driver safety films and programs for schools and other organizations reminds us that we’ll be in the dark a lot earlier every evening and a lot longer in the mornings.

Said Michelle Anderson, spokesperson for The National Road Safety Foundation:

“Once we move the clocks back this weekend, the drive home from work or school for many will likely be in the dark. The time change and earlier nightfall are a combination that’s a formula for drowsy driving – a condition many drivers fail to recognize. It can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.”

According to last years’ study by the National Sleep Foundation, they found at least 60 percent of motorists in the United States have driven while sleepy, while nearly 37 percent admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. The risk of drowsy driving is also prevalent among young adult drivers, who keep late hours and then believe it’s possible for them to function well behind the wheel with only minimal sleep periods.

The National Road Safety Foundation has a free teaching program, “Recognizing the Drowsy Driver,” which offers discussion guides for teens and young adult drivers.

The program teaches drivers to be alert to the signs of drowsiness while driving, such as:

• Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or rubbing eyes
• Daydreaming or not remembering driving the previous few miles
• Head snaps and/or yawning
• Drifting or weaving out of the proper driving lane, tailgating or hitting shoulder rumble strips

The National Sleep Foundation also recommends these travel tips while on the road:

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before, especially if you’re planning a long trip.
• Avoid driving during your normal sleep time, such as too early in the morning or late at night.
• Try to schedule regular stops every 100 miles or approximately every two hours.
• Travel with a companion to keep you awake and to help share the driving duties.
• Try to continue routine bedtimes on the road by checking into overnight accommodations when you feel sleepy and by preparing for bed as close to your regular sleep time as possible.

Remember we can all become tired behind the wheel, so if you experience any of the above warning signs or feel your energy level beginning to drop while driving, pull over in a safe, well lit area and take a little break. If during daylight hours or in a well populated and safe area, exit your vehicle, take a little walk to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.  Have a cup of coffee, soda or other caffeinated beverage, eat a snack if possible and if you feel comfortable doing so, take a 20 to 30 minute nap.

As a side note, Mercedes-Benz has developed a system, called “Attention Assist,” which is expected to go into production in 2009. The Mercedes-Benz system will record the angle of the steering wheel, monitor motorist/auto speed and acceleration, as well as side wind or uneven road surface. If the system detects any odd behavior, it sets off a warning and sound alarm to notify the driver it’s time to pull over.  It looks like Infiniti has a similar concept brewing, called the Lane Departure Warning System.

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