Ask a Cop: Get enough sleep to stay safe on the streets

By Officer Al Perez
Posted: 04/06/2011 05:22:55 PM PDT

Are you getting enough sleep? Many of us are not.

Whether we want to admit it or not, most of us live a fast-paced life trying to squeeze as much activity in a day as we can. It could be long working hours, coupled with a busy family life.

Since many of us refuse or can not slow down, our bedtime keeps getting pushed back, making it impossible to get adequate sleep. The very lack of adequate sleep will most likely result in drowsiness and fatigue throughout the day, and the worst time to become sleepy is when you are behind the wheel.

Drowsiness and driving is a dangerous combination. Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving but don't realize that drowsy drivers can be just as fatal. Like alcohol, sleepiness and fatigue slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases your risk of being involved in a traffic collision.

Some studies have shown that more than 10 percent of drivers admit having fallen asleep at the wheel, while more than 20 percent say they have momentarily dozed while driving.

Read more at the link.