Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, according to a study by the AAA Foundation. However, as many as 10 percent of drivers actually take the risk of drowsy driving at least once per week, and 33 percent have done so in the past month. This is despite the fact that 96 percent of drivers who answered a AAA Foundation survey about drowsy driving agreed that it’s dangerous to drive when you’re sleepy.
How do you know if you’re too drowsy to drive? Here are six signs it’s not safe to be behind the wheel, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:
- You can’t stop yawning, your head is nodding, or your eyes feel heavy or unfocused.
- You can’t remember the last several miles you just drove.
- You can’t keep track of landmarks or you miss road signs.
- You’re drifting, swerving out of your lane, or crossing lines or rumble strips.
- You feel restless, aggressive, or irritable.
- You keep falling into reveries or daydreams despite attempts to focus on the road.
November included National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. With the holidays coming up, it’s wise to plan ahead to avoid a drowsy driving crash. Getting enough sleep before a road trip and taking rest breaks along the way can both help you get to your destination safely.
If you’re injured by a sleepy driver this holiday season, a skilled Colorado car crash attorney at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. can help you obtain compensation for your losses. Call us at (719) 475-2555 for a free, confidential consultation.