Asleep at the wheel

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths.

Battling fatigue at the wheel can be a fairly normal occurrence; however, many students do not realize the extreme danger they put themselves in when they decide to drive while they are tired.

“I completely agree that it is dangerous to drive any distance when tired, but that is just one of the trials of being a commuter student,” said UNA junior Kaycee Bullard. “There will be nights when you have to stay up all night and then have to drive an hour to an 8 a.m. class. It is a sacrifice we have to make to commute.”

The issue, though, does not just affect commuter students; it affects students who live in the area.

Nearly one in six car crashes occur within the U.S. because a sleepy driver is at the wheel, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.   

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported, “Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths.”

Autumn McMunn, a junior at UNA, agreed with the statistics. McMunn flipped her car because she was driving without proper rest from the previous evening.

“I was scheduled to work during the Thanksgiving holidays on Thursday from 4 a.m. to close and then on Friday from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” she said. “I did not realize how tired I was after work on Friday.”

McMunn said the combination of a hectic work schedule and the inconvenience of the dorms being closed for the holidays had left her too drained to drive home to see her family.

“I woke up as my car was flipping, and my car was completely totaled,” she said.

For McMunn, the shock of the accident encouraged her to change some of her driving habits.

“The funny thing was that right before I wrecked I almost stopped at a gas station to get a caffeinated drink,” she said. “Since my wreck, I do not drive long distances without a Coke or coffee.”

Bullard, who also battles fatigue while driving home from school and work, shared some of her techniques to stay awake at the wheel.

“I leave the air conditioning on to avoid that warm and cozy feeling,” Bullard said. “I also listen to my music loud and try to avoid soft and calming radio stations.”

The AAA Foundation also had some tips. According to their website, drivers should plan to get at least six hours of sleep the night before they drive and drink caffeine to keep themselves alert.

“One important thing to remember is to always be a defensive driver and know that people around you may be just as tired as you,” Bullard said.