Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Not intending to make light of these situations, Park Forest police reported Thursday the downing of two separate traffic signals in separate instances. Both drivers cited “sleepiness” to officers, according to police. No injuries were reported.
“We know, traffic signals sometimes seem bossy, always telling you when to stop and go,” police said in a social media post. “But they only do it because they care and they want people to avoid accidents. Yet, this traffic signal was destroyed in an accident just like the ones it attempts to prevent.”
“Thankfully,” police continued, “we are only mourning the loss of a traffic signal and not a life.”
Both drivers were not injured and cited sleepiness as part of the cause, according to police.
“Accidents do happen, but they can also be avoided. If you’re too tired to drive, take a cab, use a ride-sharing app, or call a friend,” police said.
The CDC reports, “Drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. The risk, danger, and often tragic results of drowsy driving are alarming. Drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough, but it can also happen due to untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol, or shift work.”
According to the CDC, no one knows the exact moment when sleep begins. “Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don’t fall asleep,” the CDC reports.
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