You are a busy person. You have a job, a family to take care of, you are involved in civic organizations, and you need to take care of yourself somewhere in the mix. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the daily demands of life. However, when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you are tired, you become a dangerous driver.
Drowsy Driving is More Common Than You Believe
Drowsy driving accidents claim hundreds of lives each year and result in thousands of injuries. In one survey, one in twenty-five adult drivers admitted to falling asleep while driving. The dangers of drowsy driving are the same dangers caused by drunk drivers. A drowsy driver can weave in and out of traffic, run stop lights, driving too fast/slow, miss turns, drive the wrong way, and make other traffic mistakes because they are too tired to realize what they are doing.
A drowsy driver’s cognitive faculties are impaired because of the fatigue. Therefore, they can be distracted, dozing off, and confused. It is easy to make driving mistakes when you are fatigued or drowsy.
Are Some Drivers More Susceptible to Drowsy Driving?
In some cases, a driver may be at a higher risk for drowsy or fatigued driving. Some of the factors that can increase your risk of drowsy driving include:
- Third shift or swing shift workers
- Students who also work part-time or full-time
- New parents who have returned to work but are up several times during the night
- A health condition such as sleep apnea and other health conditions
- Taking certain medications, including OTC and prescription medications
- Drinking alcohol
- Workers who travel for business, especially those who drive long distances, such as truck drivers
If you are at a higher risk for drowsy driving, you should take precautions to prevent a drowsy driving accident. Actually, all drivers should take these steps to decrease the chance of drowsy driving.
Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving
Some of the ways you can prevent drowsy driving include:
- Make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Teen drivers may need even more sleep each night.
- If you have a sleep disorder or have symptoms of a sleep disorder, a physician should evaluate you for treatment.
- Do not take medications that can make you drowsy before driving. Also, alcohol can interact with some medications to cause drowsiness or increase drowsiness.
- Learn the warning signs of drowsy driving and take immediate steps to exit the road if you notice these symptoms.
Contact a New Orleans Drowsy Driving Accident Attorney
If a drowsy driver has injured you, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries and losses. A New Orleans drowsing driving accident attorney can help you investigate the crash and file an accident claim with the other driver’s insurance company.
For a free consultation, contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889. Your time to file a claim is limited by law; therefore, call today to learn more about filing a claim and to protect your legal rights.