ST. GEORGE — A woman dozed off while driving drowsy and rolled her vehicle Sunday afternoon.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., the Utah Highway Patrol was dispatched to the scene of the crash, near milepost 101, on Interstate 15 south of Beaver. UHP Sgt. David Bairett told Cedar City News that a 67-year-old woman driving north in a Mazda cx5 fell asleep at the wheel, leaving the roadway, where she stuck a tree and overturned the vehicle.
He noted the driver was wearing her seat belt and reportedly had minor injuries. No citations were issued. Beaver County Fire and Ambulance also responded to the scene.
Bairett reminds drivers to pull off the road and rest if feeling drowsy.
“Don’t continue driving,” he emphasized.
In a 2018 study, the AAA Foundation determined that crashes caused by drowsy driving were 8 times higher than federal estimates and is one of the most underreported traffic safety issues. It is difficult to detect drowsiness as the cause, as the person typically doesn’t remain in that state following the crash, St. George News reported.
While people commonly drink coffee, roll down their windows or sing to ward off drowsiness, these methods are often ineffective, the foundation notes. Fatigue can only be remedied by sleeping. Recommended precautionary measures include driving during waking hours and avoiding medications or eating heavy meals that could cause drivers to feel sleepy or otherwise impaired.
Additionally, those on longer trips should take breaks every few miles or after about 100 miles and travel with a companion who can take over at the wheel if necessary.
“Pulling into a rest stop and taking at least a 20-minute catnap — not longer than 30 minutes — can help with alertness on the road,” the article states.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.