Can you imagine falling asleep at the wheel? According to the CDC’s statistics, it happens more often than you might think. In fact, an estimated 1 in 25 adults admits to having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past 30 days. Drowsy driving is a much larger problem than many Americans think. According to the CDC, in 2017, an estimated 91,000 car crashes were caused by drowsy driving. From those crashes, 55,000 people were injured and 800 people were killed. However, researchers believe that the fatalities resulting from drowsy driving are underreported. The true number may be as high as 6,000. If you encounter a drowsy driver, do you practice safe driving?
SIGNS YOU’RE TOO TIRED TO DRIVE – SAFE DRIVING
A lot of people don’t realize that they’re too drowsy to be driving. This may be because tiredness tends to affect people gradually. However, if you start to notice signs of drowsiness while driving, you need to get to a safe place as soon as possible. Signs you may be too tired to drive may include, bleary eyes and blurred vision, blinking frequently, yawning, difficulty remembering the past few miles you drove, trouble staying in your lane and missing the correct turns or exits. If you begin to experience these symptoms, it may be time to take a break from driving the car.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T DRIVE HOME
If you feel as though you’re too tired to drive, it is important that you get some sleep safely. Do not pull over on the shoulder of the freeway for a nap; the freeways are areas where cars are moving at extremely high speeds, and your car may be difficult to see if all the lights are off. Instead, exit the freeway as soon as you possibly can. Staying in a hotel is absolutely your safest bet. However, if that’s not an option, some businesses, such as Walmart, allow people to use their parking lots when they need to sleep in their car, RV, or truck. Do not park your car on the side of the road, even if it’s not a freeway. And, make sure you aren’t parking on someone’s private property.
IS DRUNK DRIVING THE SAME AS DROWSY DRIVING?
If you’re on the road and you think you spot a drowsy driver, it is important for you to act cautiously. Drivers who are intoxicated do bear some similarities to drowsy drivers. To begin with, both drowsy drivers and drunk drivers are less alert and exhibit worsened decision-making skills. The difference tends to be that drunk drivers are overly confident and impulsive. They may unpredictably weave in and out of lanes and speed excessively. In contrast, drowsy drivers struggle to stay alert and may drive more slowly, gradually drifting into the other lane. If you see another driver constantly drifting into the other lane, or hitting rumble strips on the side of the road, they may be too drowsy to drive. Give them plenty of space in case they lose control of their vehicle. If it’s safe to do so, you may want to report the suspected impaired driver.
WHEN A DROWSY DRIVER INJURES YOU – SAFE DRIVING UTAH
If you’ve been injured by a drowsy driver, Moxie Law Group is here for you. Our talented team of legal experts is ready to help you win the compensation you deserve. If you’re ready to get the compensation you deserve, call us or stop in for a free consultation. We can help provide you with the resources needed for the next steps in your journey. Contact us today to get your claim started.
