Amendment ID: S2093-9

Amendment 9

Preventing Drowsy Driving

Ms. Jehlen moves to amend the bill by inserting at the end thereof the following new sections:-

SECTION 4. Chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new sections:-

Section 218. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart the second week of March as Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Week, and the Sunday at the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, so called as Massachusetts Sleep Awareness Day and recommending that such week be properly observed as a period of 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; increased moodiness and aggressive behaviors; and, especially, the dangers of driving under the influence of sleep deprivation or fatigue. To this end, the agencies of the Commonwealth as well as private organizations, especially those interested in education, transportation, public health, and public safety, shall adopt policies and programs consistent with the goals of: (1) increasing public awareness about sleep, sleep disorders, and consequences of sleep deprivation; (2) promoting science-based public policies that improve the sleep health of the nation; (3) advancing basic, clinical, applied, and population-based research; and promoting recognition of and access to care for all individuals with sleep disorders.

Section 219. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart the second week of November as Massachusetts Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and recommending that such week be properly observed as a period of special attention to the need for public awareness and action relative to the problems of drowsy driving and driver fatigue. For purposes of this section “drowsy driving” or “driver fatigue” shall mean driving while being “sleepy,” “tired,” “drowsy,” or “exhausted.”