Our California Car Accident Attorneys Discuss “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week”
| November 2nd, 2015
Most drivers would scoff at the idea of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Yet a majority of motorists admit they engage in another behavior on a regular basis that is equally as dangerous: Drowsy driving! Drowsy driving presents a serious threat to everyone on the road. Studies show more than half of motorists admit to driving while fatigued, while an estimated one-quarter of drivers admit to operating a vehicle while they were so tired that they struggled to keep their eyes open and on the road. In 2013 alone, drowsy driving was listed as one of the causes of car accidents in California, resulting in 28 fatalities. Joe Farrow, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, says getting behind the wheel while fatigued is “…just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” To help make the public aware of the dangers posed by getting behind the wheel without enough rest, KSBW 8 News reports the week of November 1 through 7 has been declared “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week”. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’d like to do our part to prevent drowsy driving accidents by offering a few tips that can help ensure you are well rested before you get behind the wheel.- Get enough rest– Experts recommend adults should be sleeping at least eight hours a night, while teens should be getting a minimum of 10 hours of rest per night.
- Don’t depend on “tricks” to keep you awake– If you’re feeling sleepy while driving, it’s crucial that you not use “tricks” like listening to loud music, rolling the windows down, drinking caffeinated beverages, or chewing gum as a means to stay awake.
- Take a break– If you start to feel yourself getting tired while driving, pull over at the next safe location and take a nap.
