According to the National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Survey 2023, Drowsy driving is a significant public health concern in the United States. Estimates suggest motor vehicle crashes related to drowsy driving account for roughly 20% of all motor vehicle crashes. Data from the AAA Foundation indicate that sleepiness is implicated in 21% of all motor vehicle crashes resulting in a death and 13% of motor vehicle crashes resulting in hospitalizations—totaling over 300,000 police-reported crashes, over 100,000 injuries, and as many as 6,400 deaths in the United States each year.

The estimated impact of drowsy driving is similar to the estimated impact of other well-known causes of impaired driving, including drunk driving. As such, it’s no surprise that drowsy driving is often called the “fourth D” among drunk, drugged, and distracted causes of impaired driving.

Driving while drunk, drugged, or distracted is illegal in every state in the United States. If a driver makes the decision to still do so, they are aware ahead of time that there with be consequences and penalties for their actions. However, there is currently no Indiana statue or law that penalizes a driver and holds them accountable for their negligence due to drowsy driving, even if their reckless actions result in the death of another human being.

On September 26, 2023, my family and I experienced firsthand the impact that drowsy driving can have. My mother fell victim to such recklessness when a 23-year-old man was dozing off behind the wheel over a stretch of rural 2 lane highway in Spencer County, Indiana. The other driver crossed the center line multiple times and ultimately hit my mother’s SUV head on at the crest of a hill. She succumbed to her injuries a few short hours later at the age of 68..

The reckless driver only received a ticket for Driving Left of Center and was fined $11.50 plus court costs for a total of $151.00 because Drowsy Driving is not named anywhere in Indiana’s Statutes as reckless or impaired driving. I am committed to bringing this topic before the Indiana General Assembly in order get the Reckless Driving Statute 9-21-8-52 amended to include Drowsy Driving. If such recklessness results in the death of another person, it shall qualify under Reckless Homicide Statue 35-42-1-5.

I ask you for your support to bring awareness of this senseless negligence. Please help get this proposal in front of the State Legislation and make Drowsy Driving a punishable offense and help victims and their families get the justice and closure that they deserve.

Sincerely

Stacey Lawalin

Daughter of Victim Debra Scherer