Lawmakers To Crack Down On Drowsy Drivers
Groups Pushing For New Laws
POSTED: 5:08 pm EST November 7,
2008
UPDATED: 3:05 pm EST November 9,
2008
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BOSTON -- Doctors and lawmakers are pushing for new laws making it a crime to drive while tired.NewsCenter 5's Lynn Jolicoeur reported Friday that Dr. Charles Czeisler said that as a sleep specialist, he sees the dangers that drowsy drivers create.
Lawmakers To Crack Down On Drowsy Drivers"They don't realize that the brain can seize control and they can make an involuntary transition from wakefulness to sleep," he said. "It can happen in an instant."Czeisler is a member of the Drowsy Driving Commission."We are not ready come down with a hammer. I think the first thing is to come down with an educational program to let people know that they have to provide enough rest time in between work schedules," said Sen. Richard Moore."One out of five motor vehicle crashes and injuries is related to drowsy driving. That means 8,000 people a year are killed in drowsy-driving related crashes," Czeisler said.Drivers have mixed opinions on whether to open the door on legislating common sense."Too many laws," one driver said."I think it is a wonderful idea, because nobody should go that long without sleep," another driver said."I don't know how you are going to enforce it, anyways. What are you going to do, ask them how long they have been awake for?" another driver said.
Lawmakers To Crack Down On Drowsy Drivers"They don't realize that the brain can seize control and they can make an involuntary transition from wakefulness to sleep," he said. "It can happen in an instant."Czeisler is a member of the Drowsy Driving Commission."We are not ready come down with a hammer. I think the first thing is to come down with an educational program to let people know that they have to provide enough rest time in between work schedules," said Sen. Richard Moore."One out of five motor vehicle crashes and injuries is related to drowsy driving. That means 8,000 people a year are killed in drowsy-driving related crashes," Czeisler said.Drivers have mixed opinions on whether to open the door on legislating common sense."Too many laws," one driver said."I think it is a wonderful idea, because nobody should go that long without sleep," another driver said."I don't know how you are going to enforce it, anyways. What are you going to do, ask them how long they have been awake for?" another driver said. Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
