Auto Accident Lawyer Explains Why Drowsy Driving Can Be Dangerous

Posted by montlick on July 11th, 2016

Our Georgia car accident lawyers discuss the upcoming holidays for 2016 and 2017 and provide statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Drowsy driving is considered to be as dangerous and in some cases more dangerous than drunk driving according to rese. With the 4th of July, our Georgia car accident lawyers understand the holidays are always a busy time of year as many families shuttle themselves from one family gathering to another, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles of highways along the way. While statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) both suggest that incidents of drunk driving are decreasing across the nation, many of these holiday road warriors will engage in a practice that can be just as deadly: driving while drowsy.

Drowsy Driving Statistics and Facts

According to a 2005 study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, at least 60% of drivers surveyed admitted to having operated a motor vehicle despite feeling drowsy, and over one-third of drivers surveyed confessed to having fallen asleep at the wheel of their car or truck while driving. A driver who has not slept sufficiently before driving can exhibit symptoms similar to those exhibited by drunk drivers, including:

Impaired senses (especially of sight and sound), making it difficult to see potential hazards, obey traffic signs, and respond to emergency vehicles or the audible signals from other cars;
Impaired judgment, causing the drowsy driver to engage in reckless behavior such as speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, and disobeying traffic laws
Impaired reaction time, meaning that it takes longer for the driver to respond appropriately to hazards and traffic signs and signals.

Unlike drivers who consume alcohol who can test their levels of intoxication through breath testing devices, there is no objective measurement by which drowsy drivers can know whether they have gotten enough sleep in order to safely drive. In some cases, a drowsy driver has no idea that he or she is too sleepy to drive until it is too late.

Avoid Becoming Drowsy While Traveling this Holiday Season

If you anticipate having to travel by car this holiday season, consider taking a few simple precautions to prevent yourself from becoming drowsy and causing a drowsy driving accident. The National Sleep Foundation recommends:

Giving yourself plenty of time to reach your destination;
Planning your trip so that you stop every few hours to rest, stretch, and refocus;
Traveling with a passenger when possible and switching drivers every two hours (the passenger should use the two-hour period when he or she is not driving in order to nap);
If you feel tired, pull over in a safe location and take a 20-minute nap. Give yourself an additional 15 minutes after your nap is over in order to wake up and refocus;
Do not drink alcohol as even small amounts can exacerbate symptoms of drowsiness;
Do not drive between 12 midnight and 6:00 a.m. as your body is especially tired and sleepy during these hours;
Caffeine can help you stay awake, but be aware of the “crash” that some people experience after drinking caffeine. Also remember that caffeine’s effects will wear off after several hours.

Seek Assistance from a Georgia and Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

Driving while drowsy can be considered negligent or careless conduct, meaning that a person who drives while drowsy may be held responsible for the expenses and losses experienced by any victims who are injured in a drowsy driving crash caused by the driver. An experienced car crash lawyer can evaluate your circumstances and help ensure you understand and are able to exercise your rights.

Georgia and Atlanta car accident attorneys have experience in helping car accident victims – including those injured by a drowsy driver – recover compensation for their injuries. These attorneys will fight aggressively for you and your family after you have been injured in a car crash.

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montlick
Joined: April 28th, 2016
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