Like Drunk Driving, Drowsy Driving Causes Serious Injuries and Death on America’s Roadways
When you travel by plane or train there isn’t much you can do to speed up the trip. Traveling by automobile or truck or motorcycle is a different situation and many people try to “drive straight through” instead of taking some rest stops to recharge their batteries. This is not a prudent thing to do.
Last week was officially Drowsy Driving Prevention Week but it’s something we need to be aware of all the time and we should caution others about the dangers. If you know someone who likes to drive without proper rest you may want to want to make them aware of these facts:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration drowsy driving is responsible for an annual average of:
- 83,000 crashes
- 37,000 injury crashes
- 886 fatal crashes
How does sleepiness affect drivers? Studies show that driving without adequate sleep makes drivers less attentive, affects their decision-making ability, and slows reaction time.
Preventing Drowsy Driving Accidents
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep before embarking on a long trip.
- Never take medication that might cause drowsiness before you drive.
- On long trips take a break every 100 miles or every two hours.
- If you feel your eyelids “getting heavy” it’s time to pull over and rest.
- If you have to roll down the windows and drink coffee to stay awake, stop and rest. Those things are short-term and won’t stop you from nodding off.
The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has seen it all in our many years dealing with serious crashes and injuries, and many cases have involved drowsy driving. If you have been involved in any kind of accident it is always best to get professional legal advice about how to proceed. We answer our phones 7 days a week so please call 954-356-0006 at your convenience.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Weston and Fort Lauderdale Florida
Recent Comments