BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate recently passed legislation that would ban the use of handheld mobile devices while driving. The bill, S.2092, sponsored by Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), implements penalties for operating a vehicle while holding a mobile electronic device to or in proximity of a person’s head. Included in the final bill was an amendment filed by Somerville State Senator Patricia Jehlen to increase awareness of drowsy driving in Massachusetts.

 

This issue was brought to Senator Jehlen’s attention by Ms. Marian Berkowitz, a Somerville resident. Ms. Berkowitz lost her brother when he was in his early 20s due to a fall-asleep crash in Virginia. In 2012, Ms. Berkowitz founded the Jim Berkowitz Drowsy Driving Prevention Project in his memory. The Project is devoted to raising awareness about the dangers of tired driving, and educating drivers on how to avoid such hazardous situations.  

 

The language filed by Senator Jehlen would call special attention to the problems of sleep deprivation and fatigue such as: impaired reaction time, judgment, and vision; problems with information processing and short-term memory; decreased performance, vigilance, and motivation; and increased moodiness and aggressive behaviors.

 

It would also declare that the second week in March be recognized as Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Week, the Sunday at the beginning of Daylight Savings Time as Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Day, and the second week of November as Massachusetts Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.
“Taking time to recognize the often-overlooked issue of drowsy driving will greatly impact how aware people are of the harms of driving while tired, and how we can prevent it from happening,” said Sen. Jehlen. “I’m grateful to Ms. Berkowitz for bringing this issue to us, for working so hard to increase awareness of drowsy driving, and for making sure we do everything we can to keep Massachusetts drivers and their families safer while on the road.” 

 

“I would like to thank Senator Jehlen for advocating for this amendment to help increase awareness about the hazards of drowsy driving,” said Ms. Berkowitz. “Over the years since my brother’s fatal crash, I have met a number of people that have said they have fallen asleep while driving and they were lucky to have survived. This amendment will help to promote safe driving and save lives on the road.”

 

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety 2014 study, it is estimated that: 6% of all crashes in which a passenger vehicle is towed from the scene; 7% of crashes resulting in any injuries; 13% of crashes resulting in severe injuries requiring hospitalization; and 21% of fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver. 

 

The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following steps to avoid risk from drowsy driving:

 

· Get enough sleep before you drive. Most adults need 7-8 hours.

· If you have been up for 24 hours or more, do not drive. It just isn’t safe.

· If you feel sleepy, drink something with caffeine (it will take 30 minutes to kick in).

· If all else fails, find someplace SAFE to take a short nap, or stay somewhere for the night.
For more information, go to http://www.drowsydriving.org.

 

The bill now moves on to the House for consideration.