Asleep At The Wheel
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Wake up to these Drowsy Driving Facts!
Feeling tired? Here’s a scary drowsy driving fact to wake you up: 41% of drivers in the United States admit to having fallen asleep behind the wheel!
Drowsy driving is more common than you think. Along with the 41% who have actually fallen asleep at the wheel, 27% admit to driving while extremely tired, with many reporting that they drive while drowsy at least once a month.
Drowsy driving is dangerous for three main reasons.
- Limits a driver’s ability to pay attention to the road
- Slows reaction time
- Affects a driver’s decision-making abilities
Drowsy driving can cause a driver to drift into another lane, veer off the road into another car or object, or miss a sign stating that a road change is up ahead. The slowed reaction time also means that they may not react quickly enough in the event of an impending car accident, which can cause a preventable collision. People who do not get enough sleep, people with sleep disorders (like narcolepsy and sleep apnea), and people who are on medication that make them tired are at the highest risk for drowsy driving. Truck drivers, and those who work long night-shifts, are also at risk.
Drowsy Driving Accident Prevention
According to the Center for Disease Control, the warning signs of drowsy and tired driving include:
- Yawning or blinking frequently
- Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven
- Missing your exit
- Drifting from your lane
- Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road
To prevent an car accident, learn to recognize your own signs of tiredness. If you feel tired, pull over to a safe place to rest for a few minutes, or if you have a passenger, ask them to drive. Turning up your music or opening the windows to let in some cold air may wake you up for a few minutes, but it might not be enough to avoid a car accident. Rest is the best way to combat drowsy driving.
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The attorneys at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes represent those involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other types of personal injury matters. Our firm is one of the oldest personal injury law firms in Tampa Bay. There are no attorneys’ fees or costs unless we prevail for you. Call our office 24 hours a day at 727-796-8282 or simply click here to schedule a free case consultation.
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