According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsiness and sleepiness cause thousands of accidents, injuries, and hundreds of deaths annually in the United States alone.
Some other research claims these figures are underestimated because many crashes and deaths are not even reported to the police. Thus, they are not added to the statistics.
If a drowsy driver injured you, you deserve compensation. Every driver is supposed to obey traffic laws and maintain safe driving measures to provide safety to themselves as well as others on the road.
They acted negligently by sitting behind the wheel when they were tired or sleepy. Hire a lawyer from King Law and learn about your rights.
How to avert drowsiness while driving
Do not keep any sleep debt
When you know you must drive the next morning, make sure you get at least 7 to 9 hours of continuous sleep at night. If you need to drive for long hours at night, sleep the same amount of time in the daytime.
The best way to prepare for a long and safe drive is through sleep. Resting and sleeping adequately makes you feel fresh and ready for the journey. You will be able to focus more and become less distracted.
Drive with a buddy
If you must drive when you are tired and have no time to sleep, try driving with a friend or a family member. Sometimes a quick power nap is all you need to feel recharged again.
When you start feeling drowsy, ask your friend to take over the wheel while you sleep in the backseat. This is a common strategy used by long-haul drivers, especially those driving trucks nationwide.
Ditch the alcohol if you plan to drive
Having a few drinks or drinking enough to become drunk when you visit your friends or go to a party is common. However, if you plan on driving home after the party, you should probably not drink more than one small glass.
That said, even legal amounts of alcohol can sometimes cause drowsiness behind the wheel. Therefore, you may be mistaken if you think you are good enough to drive after drinking. Either way, it is never worth it to take the risk.
Take breaks as needed
If you are sleepy and do not have a friend to drive with and switch driving responsibilities, you can try driving with little breaks in between for power naps.
You may want to reach your destination faster and avoid sleeping, but breaks will allow you to drive safer. It is better to arrive late than never.
In conclusion, taking measures to avert drowsiness while driving is of utmost importance to ensure road safety. Drowsy driving poses a significant risk not only to the driver but also to passengers and other road users.
Recognizing the signs of drowsiness, such as yawning, difficulty keeping eyes open, or drifting out of the lane, is crucial. Employing strategies like getting adequate sleep before long drives, taking regular breaks, and avoiding driving during peak sleep hours can help prevent drowsiness.
Additionally, consuming caffeine in moderation and engaging in stimulating activities like listening to music or opening windows for fresh air can provide temporary alertness.
Prioritizing driver well-being and implementing proactive measures are essential to prevent accidents caused by drowsy driving.