Just last month, the issue of drowsy driving was brought to the attention of the nation when a sleepy truck driver plowed into famous comedian Tracy Morgan, killing his passenger - fellow comedian James McNair - and critically injuring Morgan and his other passengers.
The truck driver had been awake for over 24 hours prior to the accident. This case garnered a lot of attention due to the victim's celebrity status, but unfortunately, many of these types of accidents never make national headlines.
In today's frantically busy world, many people feel like there is simply not enough time in the day to accomplish everything that needs to be done. Sadly, the easiest solution most people find to manage their busy lifestyle is to cut back the number of hours spent sleeping. This is perhaps why drowsy driving is a leading cause of car accidents throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four percent of Americans admit to driving while drowsy on a regular basis. AAA reports that 7,500 fatal car accidents per year can be linked to drowsy driving in the U.S.
The act of drowsy driving is not only limited to falling asleep at the wheel. Rather, fatigue causes decreased reaction times, poor judgment, reduced vision and general incoherence. Sleepy drivers may also be less cautious and tend to drive more aggressively. Additionally, people with sleep disorders are at an extra risk for engaging in drowsy driving, as are people who sleep fewer than five hours per night.
To prevent an accident from occurring on account of fatigue, make sure that you get enough sleep whenever you get behind the wheel. Abstain from distractions while driving, such as using your cell phone. Wear a seatbelt, and if you have any concerns about your levels of fatigue, contact a healthcare professional to discuss the possibility of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.
If you begin to feel drowsy while on the road, exit the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are traveling a great distance, it is worth it to find a hotel room to catch up on some sleep. The cost of a room for a day is much cheaper than the cost of a potentially fatal accident and its dreadful consequences. If you feel tired but must travel, consider hiring a cab or taking public transit instead.
Although drowsiness can occur at any time of the day, drivers are most likely to feel drowsy in the early mornings, at night, and during the afternoon rush hour. If you see someone who appears to be nodding off at the wheel, contact 911 and alert emergency responders to the problem. Take caution and always stay alert.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a drowsy driver, you may need help getting the compensation you deserve, especially if the driver-at-fault was driving commercially at the time, as was the case in the Tracy Morgan accident. If so, be sure to contact a trusted car accident attorney to handle your case and make recovery a lot easier.
