Blount County, TN – The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to stay alert and avoid fatigue behind the wheel as the National Sleep Foundation marks Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, running from November 2–8.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drowsy driving is a major public health risk, causing thousands of crashes each year and claiming an estimated 6,400 lives annually across the U.S. Authorities say about 86 million Americans drive while sleep-deprived daily, putting themselves and others at serious risk.
Sheriff James Lee Berrong emphasized that drowsy driving impairs coordination and reaction time similar to drunk or distracted driving. Younger drivers aged 16–25 and shift workers are especially vulnerable.
The sheriff’s office advises motorists to get at least seven hours of quality sleep before driving and to pull over for a 30-minute rest if feeling tired. Short-term fixes like rolling down windows, drinking caffeine, or blasting the radio do not prevent fatigue-related crashes, officials warn.
Drivers are also encouraged to take breaks every two hours or 100 miles, avoid driving alone when possible, and share driving duties during long trips.
With the holiday travel season approaching, Sheriff Berrong reminds everyone to plan ahead: “We want you to arrive at your destination alive and unharmed.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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