There is no doubt that drunk driving is an incredibly dangerous action to take and may result in either serious injury or death. The fact that the driver is not alert enough to properly handle the vehicle can cause havoc on the roads. Did you know that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as someone who is drinking and driving?
Lack of Sleep Has Dangerous Affects
There is a reason there are laws that say professional truck drivers may only be permitted to drive for a set period of hours. This is due to their awareness level lowering and reaction time diminishing as they begin to grow tired. The more tired you are, the more effects of sleepiness you will feel. In fact, your cognitive function is greatly affected by how much sleep you have gotten. The effects of not having enough sleep might be brushed aside or downplayed, however, it can be just as dangerous as if you have a blood alcohol level of .05.
Warning Signs
There are some signs that you need to pay attention to when driving to alert you that the potential is there you may fall asleep on the road. These signs should also be observed by passengers and the driver made to pull over.
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Frequent blinking and drifting
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Disconnected thoughts
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Can't remember the last few miles and missing traffic signs or exits
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Drifting into another lane
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Yawning and heavy eyelids
How Many People Drowsy Drive?
The number might be higher than reported but approximately 150,000 drivers within 19 states and about 4% of drivers within the District of Columbia reported drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel. Those drivers who had sleep issues like snoring or had only gotten about 6 hours of sleep the night before had a higher instance of drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel.
How Can You Prevent it?
The best way to prevent drowsy driving is to get enough sleep the night before. Adults need about 7-8 hours of sleep every night. You also can make sure you have eaten a healthy meal and did not load up on sugar or salty snacks that only give you short-term energy. Also, if you are on a long road trip, take breaks often for at least 20 minutes to stretch your legs and give your eyes a break. If you have multiple drivers, take turns doing stretches of an hour or two, then switch out. For more information, contact an accident attorney {like those at Kaston & Aberle}.
