NTSB -- NTSB SUPPORTS "DROWSY DRIVING PREVENTION WEEK"

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2011

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NTSB SUPPORTS "DROWSY DRIVING PREVENTION WEEK" - STAY ALERT

OR STAY OFF THE ROAD

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WASHINGTON - The National Transportation Safety Board fully

supports Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is November

6-12, 2011.

"Drowsy driving is driving while fatigued," said NTSB

Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman, "and fatigue is a serious

safety issue."

Over the years, the NTSB has investigated numerous accidents

across all modes of transportation in which fatigue was

cited as the probable cause or a contributing factor.

Earlier this year, the NTSB once again placed fatigue on its

Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements.

"For more than 20 years fatigue has been recognized as a

transportation danger on the NTSB's Most Wanted List,"

Hersman added. "Tired drivers pose a safety risk because

fatigue can degrade every aspect of human performance. It

slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and degrades memory."

Hersman noted that fatigue is complex, multifaceted, and

that "we all have a role to play in eliminating fatigue in

transportation."

* Make sure you are not fatigued or drowsy when driving,

by getting adequate sleep.

* Regulators have a role to play in establishing hours-

of-service regulations that provide a safety net for

workers and in setting standards that will help to

identify and mitigate fatigue.

* Employers must develop guidance and rules for proper

screening, detection, and treatment for sleep

disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep

disorders can be managed to help reduce the risk of

fatigue-related transportation accidents.

* In addition, transportation professionals have a

responsibility to report for duty well rested and

prepared to assume their duties.

The Safety Board continues to call for the development of

fatigue management systems, which take a comprehensive

approach to reducing fatigue-related risk. These systems

should be based on empirical and scientific evidence and

should include a methodology to continually assess their

effectiveness.

"Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is an ideal time to remind

drivers that being well rested is a safety measure that can

save lives 52 weeks a year," Hersman said. "If you can't

stay alert, then stay off the road."

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NTSB Media Contact:

Terry N. Williams

202.314.6100

Terry.williams@xxxxxxxx

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