Drowsy Driving Could Land You in Jail - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

12/13/05

Drowsy Driving Could Land You in Jail

New Jersey is the first state in the nation to specifically outlaw drowsy driving. Something that is applauded by the National Sleep Foundation, which says drowsy driving is a serious problem in this country.

100,000 crashes a year can be blamed on fatigue, leading to more than 1,500 deaths. Just like with alcohol, fatigue slows your reaction time, decreases awareness, and impairs your judgment.

"We know it's a much larger problem than most people believe." "You don't have to fall asleep at the wheel to be dangerous on the road," says Darrel Drobnich at the National Sleep Foundation.

It was 2003 when New Jersey passed what they called "Maggies Law", named after 20-year-old Maggie McDonnell who was killed by a drowsy driver. Massachusetts is considering similar legislation.

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Drowsy Driving Danger Signals: How Sleepy Are You?
Keeping yourself awake could be the difference in life or death on the road. Find out what you can do or if you are even at risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.

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