Most drivers would admit they have occasionally felt drowsy behind the wheel. They might have even nodded off for a few seconds, an experience known as microsleep.
Falling asleep behind the wheel, even for a moment, is extremely dangerous and can result in a serious car accident. Your safety – and the safety of others on the road – should always be a top priority.
“Changing Lanes,” the official podcast of BMW recently highlighted some sensible strategies to avoid drowsy driving. The hosts noted that driving when deprived of sleep is like drunk driving, so it’s important to recognize signs and take steps to avoid being too tired to drive.
What can you do to prevent drowsy driving?
Here are a few warning signs that you’re drowsy behind the wheel:
- Yawning
- Blinking
- Heavy eyelids or irritated eyes
If you experience these signs while driving, consider pulling off the road and finding a safe location to take a powernap, or step outside and take a walk to get fresh air. Those are two of the tips the podcast details to avoid drowsy driving. Here’s the full list:
- Get enough sleep before beginning a long journey.
- Take a powernap (no more than 20 minutes of sleep) every four hours if you’re on a long journey.
- Avoid driving when your body is at a low point (typically, 2 a.m.-5 a.m. or 1 p.m.-3 p.m.).
- Take regular breaks.
- Don’t drive when hungry or too full. Eat light healthy snacks during the journey.
- Drink water to stay hydrated.
- Choose safe distractions like listening to podcasts or engaging in conversation with a partner in the car.
- Be careful if taking medication. Understand the side effects, which may include drowsiness.
Are there short-term fixes to prevent drowsy driving?
If you need a quick energy boost, consider the following:
- Candy for quick energy boost
- Energy drinks and coffee
- Air out the car by opening windows
- Chewing gum
- Loud music
What if you’re in a drowsy driving accident?
You might prepare for a long journey by getting a good night sleep. You might follow the tips above to avoid getting drowsy behind the wheel. But what about the other driver?
Unfortunately, some drivers won’t recognize that driving while too tired is dangerous and could have tragic consequences.
Furthermore, if these drivers cause an accident, they might deny falling asleep. Their insurance company may step in and downplay the injuries you suffered as a result of the crash. The insurance company representative may offer a small settlement that doesn’t begin to cover the extent of your losses.
These are some of the reasons why you need an experienced attorney who understands the serious nature of drowsy driving car accidents.
Trust Ausman Law Firm to handle your claim. Our Omaha car accident attorneys aggressively fight for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation. Find out how we can help you.
We want you to be treated fairly so you get justice and the full compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation with our legal team, contact us online today.
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