According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), fatigued driving or drowsy driving is the principal cause of up to 100,000 vehicle crashes every year. Reports say at least 1,500 people are killed and injuring 71,000! While these numbers are staggering, there are yet more numbers of fatigue-related crashed that go unreported.

But these are primarily passenger vehicle crashes. Less than 1% of all sleep-related crashes involve truckers. Currently, Federal laws are in place, prohibiting truckers to drive more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period. My Grandfather was a trucker who spent his career hauling fuel cross-country. Back then, truckers could for drive for days without sleep. And, in those days, people thought that drinking coffee, or taking over the counter meds would keep them awake. It was also common to take illegal drugs such as Amphetamines to keep awake. But we all know that what goes up must eventually come down. It’s true that truckers would get what they called “white line fever” (a song by Merle Haggard, R.I.P., sniff…). But now I’m thinking that white line fever must have had two meanings.

Here is a list compiled by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety of the top 10 things you can do to avoid falling asleep at the wheel:
1. If you feel sleepy, stop driving. Pull over, get out and get a beverage.
2. If you get a caffeinated beverage, since it takes about 30 minutes to kick-in, take a nap.
3. Get plenty of sleep the night before your trip (6 hours or more).
4. Don’t leave for a long road trip right after work.
5. Drive during the hours that you are normally awake and stay in a hotel at your normal bedtime.
6. If you are planning to drive straight through, take a nap between midnight and dawn.
7. Avoid carbohydrates since they make you drowsy. Protein enriched foods and beverages are best.
8. Forget the cold and allergy meds or any meds that may make you drowsy.
9. Have a passenger in the front seat to talk to.
10. Pull over every two hours or every 100 miles. Even if you don’t feel like you need to. It’ll give you, your passengers and your car a break. And try to only drive 300-400 miles per day.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Drowsy Driving – Comedy Defensive Driving School

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The National Transportation Safety Board reported that drowsy driving was likely the cause of more than half of crashes leading to a truck driver’s death. And, for each truck driver fatality, another three to four people are killed. And, not only taking medicine before driving, but how about if you’re not taking your medicine? Blood pressure medications, seizure medications and diabetics medications are just a few to be certain to maintain so you don’t have an episode while driving.
Just remember to read the crimp in the box and label on your medicine bottle (prescription and over the counter). They typically list indications of reactions to the medicine. And those indications contain phrases such as don’t operate machinery, don’t drive a car, may cause drowsiness, don’t mix with alcohol and don’t get anywhere near a 24 hour wedding chapel.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Fatigued Driving – Comedy Defensive Driving

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When the sun goes down, the potential for bad things to happen increases. According to my mother, “Nothing good happens after dark.” I think she was lecturing me when she said that. But traffic deaths are three times greater at night than during the daytime, according to the National Safety Council. In addition, nighttime driving is the single biggest risk factor for teen car crashes. It’s more difficult to judge other vehicle’s speeds and distances at night. 90% of a driver’s reaction depends upon vision. And vision is severely limited at night. They say that’s also why you end up bringing home ugly women. After the sun goes down, depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision are also compromised. That’s why I sometimes leave the house with socks that don’t match. Or, at least that’s my excuse.

Another danger of nighttime driving is fatigue. Some states have laws that make the penalties of driving while fatigued equivalent to driving while intoxicated. It’s all about responsibility, not only for your life but for others around you. I have taken many road trips at night for several good reasons. It’s cooler at night, which keeps your engine cooler. There are less people on the road which means less traffic. And, you can drive topless…truck drivers love that. Always make sure you don’t overdrive your headlights. That means you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area ahead of your car. Keep your headlights and windshield clean. This will also help with visibility for both you and the truck drivers’ view into your car.

Drive the speed limit so you will have better reaction time if a night critter crosses your path. Most road kill animals come out at night. Some go onto the road to warm themselves on the asphalt. While others just go on the road to mess with you. Never swerve for an animal. If it’s a large animal, try to avoid hitting it head-on by sideswiping it. This way it won’t become a hood ornament or end up on your lap…that would be on YouTube forever. And, whatever you do, don’t pick up hitchhikers like “Large Marge” or “Bigfoot.” They never pitch in for gas. There are “cheap” mythical creatures out there too, you know.

And, if your car happens to break down at night, try to either get your car off of the freeway, or, if you are broken down on the shoulder, turn on your signal light as if you are going to be re-entering the freeway. Don’t turn on your hazard lights. Drunk drivers are attracted to flashing lights…much like how blondes are attracted to shiny objects (diamonds, should anyone ask).

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Comedienne / Writer / Artist / Night Driver

Nighttime Driving – Comedy Defensive Driving

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While some of us prefer to fly due to time constraints…and time is money! Families like the Duggars will have no choice but to drive. And perhaps a bus…I mean with 19 kids (and counting)? Yikes! Or should I say “ouch”. Some people are down with the long distance trek. With the economy the way it is now, many people commute to work as if it’s a cross-country trip. And, on a daily basis. You may want to burn a candle for those people if you make it to holiday mass.

The holiday season get-togethers, rubbing elbows during travel and other close encounters will also spread the cheer of the cold and flu season. Be careful driving while sick. Cold medications can most certainly make you drowsy. And, in most states, you could be arrested for drowsy driving. In fact, it’s just as dangerous as drunk driving. Even over the counter cold medications such as DayQuil or NyQuil. You know, anything that actually comes with its own shotglass is a pretty good indication that it’s some potent stuff. By the way, I’ve created my own favorite holiday drink. I call it the Green Weenie. Ever heard of it? It’s NyQuil and hot dog water. By the way, mixing cold medications with your holiday cheer is even worse. Theraflu and Vodka? No! Although, some people swear that a snoot of whiskey helps to ease (or kill) the cold and flu virus. I bet they wish the guy at the liquor store would take their co-pay like the pharmacist does! Just remember to not drink and drive.

And that tissue box you have in the back window of the car may just come in handy afterall. Can’t reach it? Just slam on the brakes and hold out your hand. Voila’!  I’ll be back next week. Until then, practice responsible driving.

Daun Thompson

The post Sick Driving appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

You know the song;

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

With drunk Uncle Ned

And Cousin Ed coming out of the closet

And saying he’s queer! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!”

Yes, the holidays are here and with that comes the TURKEY, YEAH!!!! I love holiday meals that someone else took the time to cook and I get to reap the rewards! But remember boys and girls, turkey contains an essential amino acid called L-tryptophan that can cause drowsiness more than listening to Uncle Rick’s boring fishing stories. But truth be told, some nerdy scientific experts say that tryptophan would have to be ingested on an empty stomach and with no other amino acids in order to make you sleepy. It’s actually the fat contents of Grandma’s cooking, alcohol and over-eating which makes your fat ass tired.

But this isn’t a lecture on nutritional contents and dysfunctional families; this blog is to inform you on the dangers of fatigue driving in America. Did you know, according to the National Sleep Foundation, over 100,000 auto accidents are the result of fatigued driving in the U.S. every year? I don’t know what’s more surprising, that alarming fact or the fact that “sleep” has its own foundation! Some states such as Texas, New Jersey and Florida have included fatigue driving under their DUI laws. Driving safety experts say that a drowsy driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver.

Now I can understand if you are ready to get the hell of out of your parent’s house after the holiday meal, because you are reminded of why you wanted to move out in the first place. But make sure you are mentally alert for the drive back to your home, hotel or nearest bar. Besides, after the family get-together, I’m sure you’ll have plenty to talk about on the way home with your other passengers.

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. Remember to have a designated driver when drinking alcohol and don’t drive under the influence of fatigue!

Join me again next week and until then…

Take Care and Be Safe-

Danny Keaton

The post Thanksgiving for speeding tickets appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

Times are changing; many states are now prosecuting drivers who cause fatigue related collisions.
New Jersey passed ‘Maggie’s Law’ in 2003. Sleep deprived drivers who cause a fatal accident and were awake for more than 24 hours will be charged with vehicular homicide.

If you are tired, pull over, take a nap. I know that seems unrealistic at times but it sure beats the consequences! If you get into an accident, you’ll wish you had. Don’t use stimulants to help stay awake, remember, what goes up must come down! Do your part to help keep our roads safe.
Fatigue related car crashes do not have to happen and it all starts with you.

Keep in touch and I’ll talk to you next week!

Take Care-
Danny Keaton

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