Drowsy Driving Similar To Drunk Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every year more than 100,000 car accidents occur because of driver fatigue. More than 1,550 fatalities and 71,000 injuries result in these accidents. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving when you are sleepy decreases your awareness, decreases your judgment and vision, lowers your reaction time, and decreases your performance. Signs that you may be drowsy and that you should stop driving are daydreaming, yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting from your lane, hitting a rumble strip, difficulty focusing and trouble keeping your head up. Many people think that opening up the window or turning up the radio will help them stay awake but according to the Washington State Patrol these are not effective techniques to improve alertness.
Safety Tips
- Get a sufficient amount of sleep — between 7-9 hours at night
- Don’t drive between 1am and 6am
- Travel with a companion, someone who you can converse with and can share the driving load
- Schedule breaks every 100 miles or every 2 hours
- Avoid alcohol and medications
- If you’re sleepy, STOP DRIVING. REST. DRINK A CAFFEINATED BEVERAGE.
If you are ever involved in a drowsy driver related accident, call the InjuryHelpline for a free consultation from a personal injury lawyer. Don’t hesitate to get the help you deserve!
