Dangers of Drowsy Driving
One of the most common causes of car accidents in the United States is drowsy driving, which is considered the dangerous combination of driving and fatigue. This typically occurs when a motorist has not had enough sleep, but it can also happen due to shift work, medications, sleeping disorders, and drinking alcohol.
Drowsiness generally does several of the following things when you drive:
- Makes you less able to pay attention to the road
- Slows your reaction time
- Affects your ability to make good decisions while driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that drowsy driving is responsible for up to 6,000 fatal crashes and is the cause of at least 100,000 crashes each year. Public surveys have also shown that drowsy driving is a common danger, one of them claiming that 55 percent of those polled said they had driven while drowsy in the past year.
Warning signs of drowsy driving include frequently yawning and blinking, catching yourself “nodding off”, having difficulty keeping your head up, drifting from your lane, difficulty remembering the past few miles driven, hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road, and missing your exit. If you can identify the signs of drowsy driving, you will be able to keep from making a critical mistake on the road.
The following are several ways to prevent driving while drowsy:
- Get enough sleep—at least seven hours of sleep a day, while teens require at least 8 hours.
- Build and practice good sleeping habits, such as following a strict schedule every night.
- Avoid drinking or taking medication that makes you sleepy before planning to drive.
- If you have a sleep disorder, have symptoms of a sleep disorder, or feeling sleepy during the day, speak with your doctor about treatment options.
Understand the dangers of drowsy driving and how to avoid it. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver in Massachusetts, the Law Office of Steven R. Whitman LLC is committed to helping you obtain the financial compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills, cover lost wages, and get you back on the road to recovery. With more than 55 years of combined legal experience and millions of dollars recovered for our past clients, our Boston personal injury attorney understands what it takes to get the best results possible.
For more information, contact us and request a free consultation today.