Avoid Drowsy Driving: Know the Signs of Driver Fatigue

We have all been there – found ourselves drowsy or falling asleep while driving. But we all do the same thing, and that is to try to keep ourselves awake by opening the window or turning up the volume on the music.

Continuing to drive while drowsy is not the safest way to get to your destination. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation has very similar effects on your body as taking an alcoholic drink! For a driver who has been awake for 24 hours, your driving will reflect the same effects as having a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .10. This level is even higher than New York’s driving while intoxicated BAC of .08.

It’s a fact that more than 100,000 car accidents each year have drowsy driving as a factor.

Signs of Drowsy Driving

There are many other signs of driver fatigue besides yawning, and these include:

· Difficulty focusing

· Drifting to the shoulder of another lane

· Being inattentive

· Having wandering thoughts

· Feeling restless, impatient or irritable

· Shallow breathing

· Having brief memory lapses; zoning out

If you notice any of these signals while driving, stop at once! Pull over in a safe spot and walk around the car, taking deep breaths. Grab a cup of coffee and don’t continue until you feel up to it. A short nap can help reinvigorate you for the rest of your trip.

How To Prevent Drowsy Driving

The only way to avoid sleepy driving is prevention:

· Make sure you get enough sleep at night. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours.

· Never drink and drive. Just one beer is enough to cause drowsiness.

· For long trips, take a break every 2 hours. Get out of the car for a 10-minute walk.

· Instead of eating while driving, take a break and sit down at a restaurant for your meal.

· Drink caffeinated coffee, tea and soft drinks.

Learn more about drowsy driving and how to prevent it here.

We Can Help If You Have Been in an Auto Accident

If you or a family member has been harmed by a defective product, car accident, truck accident, construction accident, slip and fall or any other type of personal injury, please contact StolzenbergCortelli, LLC Attorneys at Law immediately. Please call us for a free consultation at our locations in New York County, Rockland County and Westchester County. Attorneys Howard Stolzenberg and Terrence James Cortelli, personal injury attorneys in White Plains, Nyack and New York City, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (914) 361 – 4888 or contact us via the website.