Nearly every Pennsylvania driver has experienced the dizzying feeling of falling asleep or almost dozing while behind the wheel. In fact, statistics show that approximately 20 percent of individuals admit to unintentionally snoozing while driving. Whether it’s because they got too little sleep the night before or they’ve been awake for hours and hours, the results can be deadly. As reports show, more than 6,000 victims are killed every year in traffic accidents linked to drowsy driving. This year, November 4 through 11 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a time devoted to shedding light on the concerns of fatigued driving. It’s an important topic that needs to be discussed more often, especially when faced with the sobering facts related to drowsy driving.
Stemming the Tide of Distracted, Drowsy Driving
One of the most troubling aspects of driving while super-tired is that people who have driven with heavy eyelids tend to do it again and again, tempting fate and putting themselves and others in harm’s way. Rather than rectifying their mistakes, they treat driving while drowsy as something that “just happens,” as if it isn’t under their control to make a change. Perhaps it’s because more than a third of us just don’t get the recommended amount of sleep, anyway. Thus, we’re accustomed to doing everything in a sleep-deprived state. Regardless, no sleepy person should be a driver, especially if he or she wants to avoid being at fault for a car accident and incurring criminal charges. Driving while drowsy creates the same mental distractions as driving while under the influence of legal drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol. Staying up for 20 hours without napping is the same as having a 0.08 blood alcohol concentration level. To put that in perspective, a motorist caught with a 0.08 blood alcohol concentration level in Philadelphia could be charged with general impairment under Act 24. In cases where a car accident does occur due to drowsy driving, it's crucial to seek legal assistance from Philadelphia car accident attorney to navigate the complexities of the situation.Putting Drowsy Driving to Bed
What’s the answer to solving the issue of drowsy driving once and for all? Foremost, it’s understanding and acknowledging the factors that put a driver at risk of driving while sleepy:- Getting too little or no sleep for 20 hours or longer. At this point, reflex time goes up, making it tougher to avoid collisions.
- Being young and inexperienced. Younger drivers are just learning how to navigate the roads. The last thing they need is to drive while tired, although many of them don’t realize the dangers.
- Taking certain medications. If a doctor or pharmacist says that a medication can cause drowsiness, it’s a call to action to not drive. Some medications create a sense of sleepiness and mental fog.
- Drinking and driving. Alcohol is a depressant. Consequently, it can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel.
Watching Out for Signs of Drowsiness
Whether you’re the driver behind the wheel or you’re a passenger in a vehicle operated by someone else, keep an eye out for signs of drowsy driving:- Drifting into other lanes. This is a common occurrence among people who are nodding off, because they can’t concentrate on the task at hand.
- Rolling down the window or turning up the radio. Sometimes, drivers feel like they can stay awake with loads of cold, fresh air. While a jolt of freezing breeze might offer temporary wakefulness, it won’t last.
- Not being able to remember the past 10, 30, or 90 minutes is a surefire sign of distraction.
- Forgetting the rules of the road. Often, sleepy drivers will stop using their turn signals, will rush through red lights, or may even drive the wrong way on a divided highway.
- In order to get home faster for sleep, drivers that are drowsy may hit the gas.