How to Prevent Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Every year hundreds of accidents occur just because of drowsy driving. However, people still are not aware of it. Well, preventing drowsiness is easier than you think.
These types of cases have become common for Creve Coeur mo personal injury attorney. If you are one of them who’s feeling drowsiness, then we are here to help you out. With simple tricks, you can prevent it easily. In the following, we will cover the dangers, causes, and prevention of drowsing driving.
What Are The Danger of Drowsy Driving?
According to some research, every year around 6000 deadly crashes happened due to drowsy driving. Most cases happen when the driver doses off for a few seconds. This could increase when the driver or other driver is at high speed.
It could be still dangerous when the driver is not falling asleep. Sleep deprivation causes the most drowsy sleeping. Plus, the driver can be impatient due to sleep deprivation and that is similar to drunk driving. On the other hand, it could lead to aggressive driving.
Drowsy Driving Injuries
A drowsy driving’s outcome is very dangerous. According to some reliable sources, around 700 people die due to drowsy driving in one year. Besides this, a lot of people get injured. Drowsy driving can harm both drivers and other people. There are some common injuries caused by this type of accident:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck injury
- Soft tissue injuries
Causes of Drowsy Driving
As you know, there are various reasons for drowsiness. In the following, we are sharing common causes of drowsy driving.
- Sleeping Disorders
Sleeping disorder is one of the most common reasons for drowsy driving. Many people have various sleeping disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and less restorative. If someone is having a sleeping disorder, he or she needs should get professional help as soon as possible.
- Medications
Sometimes medications could be the reason for drowsiness. Numerous medications including prescription drugs, supplements, or sleep aids can cause problems if they are taken at night. Avoiding driving during that phase is the best way to prevent an accident.
- Sleep deprivation
If you are not getting enough sleep at night, it can cause excessive sleepiness during the daytime. This is one of the leading reasons for drowsy driving. An adult should at least sleep for seven to eight hours at night to prevent sleep deprivation.
- Time of day
Another effective reason for drowsy driving is what time of the day a driver is driving the car. According to many surveys, accidents occur from drowsy driving during late night or in the mid-afternoon. These times when sleepiness peaks.
How to Avoid Drowsy Driving
Drowsiness is a normal thing but if you feel drowsy while driving, it will bring a dangerous outcome. So, you can avoid drowsy driving by applying some methods. Let’s find out.
- Budget Time for Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential to prevent drowsiness. Well, if you are not getting enough sleep at night, you need to budget time. Take a small nap when you have free time during the day. Don’t waste your time doing unnecessary works.
- Bring a Travel Companion
If you are going to drive for a long time, it’s best to bring a travel companion with you. So, whenever you feel sleepy, he or she can drive the car while you take a nap. On the other hand, your companion can keep you alert.
- Utilize caffeine
Caffeine is the best thing to keep you awake. If you are traveling alone and it’s essential for you, then you should take a cup of coffee. However, it’s not a complete solution. Caffeine can be effective for a limited time.
- Be Aware
Overall, you have to be aware of everything, no matter whatever tricks you are using. So, if you feel drowsy, it’s better to take a little rest. Find a safe place and take a nap to prevent drowsy driving.
Conclusion
As you can see drowsy driving is dangerous, both for you and others. However, it can be prevented by implementing some tricks. We have covered these simple tricks that will be helpful for you.