The Dangers of Drowsy Driving

 Posted on November 29, 2018 in Car Accidents

Many people that drive are often guilty of some type of distracted driving, whether that be eating, drinking, or taking a quick peek at your cell phone. Another form of distracted driving is driving while drowsy or sleepy. If you are close to falling asleep, your reaction time will be slowed, you will be less likely to make good decisions while driving, and you will not be as attentive as you should be on the road. The combination of these factors significantly increases the likelihood of an automobile accident and personal injury.

The Statistics

Drowsy driving should be avoided to make sure your risk of collision and injury is lessened, but data shows it does happen occasionally. According to data analyzed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 25 adult drivers stated they have fallen asleep while driving in the 30 days before they were polled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also estimated that drowsy driving caused 800 fatalities in collisions in 2013. That statistic uses current data on drowsy driving, but the NHTSA believes drowsy driving is responsible for up to 6,000 fatal collisions each year.

Warning Signs and Prevention

Identifying the warning signs of drowsy driving and learning your body well enough to know when you are impaired is helpful when driving at any time, night or day.

If you are experiencing the following, it may be a sign you need to pull over and get some rest:

• Swerving and hitting the rumble strip on the side of the road.
• Drifting from your lane into another lane and back again.
• Yawning and blinking repeatedly to try to keep your eyes open.
• Not taking the correct exit or forgetting the last few miles you have driven.

The best way to make sure you do not have to worry about a car crash due to drowsy driving is to make sure you are well-rested before you start your trip. Getting enough sleep, keeping a set sleeping schedule, and making sure you do not take medications which make you drowsy are all preventative steps you can take to make sure you do not increase your risk of collision.

Contact a Knowledgeable DuPage County Car Collision Lawyer

If you have been injured in a collision with a drowsy driver and would like to seek compensation for your damages, contact our experienced Wheaton personal injury attorneys. The lawyers at The Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C. can provide you with personalized care and compassionate assistance to reach an outcome beneficial to you. Call us today at 630-665-5678 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdrowsydriving/index.html