Last week was Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. The National Sleep Foundation has held this annual campaign for the past 15 years. It is a timely campaign, following the end of Daylight Saving Time. In recognition of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, we are going to discuss drowsy driving dangers and provide tips to help you drive alert.
If a drowsy drivers injures you in a Las Vegas car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Time is of the essence when pursuing compensation in car accident cases. Don’t delay—have our Las Vegas accident lawyers review your case. Sometimes people avoid contacting an accident lawyer because they worry about cost. You don’t have to worry about affordability. Our attorneys don’t get paid unless they win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Drowsy Driving
We all know about the dangers of drunk driving and distracted driving. Another dangerous driving behavior that we tend to overlook is drowsy driving. Drowsy driving is an issue on U.S. roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. Drowsy driving can have a number of causes including the following:
- Lack of sleep
- Untreated sleep disorders
- Medications
- Alcohol consumption
- Shift work
- Commercial driving
Drowsy driving impacts your ability to safely operate a vehicle, even if you don’t fall asleep. According to the CDC, drowsiness:
- Makes you less able to pay attention to the road
- Slows reaction time if you must brake or steer suddenly
- Affects your ability to make good decisions
All of the above can lead to drowsy driving accidents. If you are injured by a drowsy driver in Las Vegas, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The team at Anthem Injury Lawyers provides expert representation to make sure you get maximum compensation for your injuries. Don’t delay. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Drowsy Driving Crashes
Drowsy driving impacts everyone on the road. It is difficult to gather exact data on drowsy driving crashes because these types of accidents are often attributed to other causes. A 2018 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the percentage of crashes involving drowsiness is nearly eight times higher than federal estimates indicate based on in-vehicle dashcam video of everyday drivers.
In 2020, there were 633 deaths from drowsy driving related crashes. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, one third of crashes involving a drowsy driver result in injuries, and more than 20 percent of fatal crashes involve driver fatigue.
Drowsy driving crashes can happen at any time to anyone on the road. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified three factors that are most commonly associated with drowsy driving crashes. According to the NHTSA, drowsy driving crashes:
- Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm—the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep.
- Often involve only a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking.
- Frequently occur on rural roads and highways.
If you are injured by a drowsy driver in Las Vegas, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. We are located in Henderson and handle personal injury cases all over the Las Vegas area including North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Summerlin. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Drowsy Driving Prevention Tips
An estimated 37 million motorists drive drowsy at least once per year. Getting behind the wheel while drowsy puts everyone at risk. You play an important role in drowsy driving prevention. Your choices before you get behind the wheel and once you are behind the wheel impact your driving. Use the following drowsy driving prevention tips to stay safe on the road.
Get Enough Sleep
Maintaining healthy sleep habits is one of the best ways to avoid drowsy driving. National Sleep Foundation guidelines suggest that healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Talk to your doctor about health issues that may be impacting your sleep. Some health issues can impact your sleep quality, making you more likely to experience drowsiness during the day.
Drive Sober
Avoid drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel. In addition to causing impairment, alcohol consumption impacts sleepiness. You should also talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your prescription and over-the-counter medication. Medication can cause drowsiness and impact your ability to safely operate a vehicle.
Ensure You Are Rested During Road Trips
Some people plan to drive through the night on road trips or plan to drive for extended periods of time without rest. While this can help speed up a road trip it puts you and your loved ones at risk. Do not sacrifice your health and safety for travel time. Get a good night’s sleep before a road trip and plan for plenty of breaks.
Drive Around Your Sleep Schedule
Everyone has different sleep schedules and routines. Plan your driving around your sleep schedule. Avoid driving during times when you are normally asleep.
Stay Alert for Signs of Drowsiness
If you notice signs of drowsiness, the NHTSA recommends pulling over for a short 20-minute nap in a safe place. If another driver is with you, you can ask them to switch with you so you can rest while they drive. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, if you do any of the following you may be drowsy:
- Have trouble keeping your eyes open and focused
- Can’t keep your head up
- Daydream or have wandering, disconnected thoughts
- Yawn frequently
- Rub your eyes repeatedly
- Find yourself drifting from your lane or tailgating
- Miss signs or drive past your exit
- Feel irritable and restless
- Drift off the road and hit the rumble strips
- Are unable to remember how far you have traveled
- Can’t remember what you have recently passed by
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EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope the above tips help you stay alert behind the wheel. If a drowsy driver injures you in a Las Vegas area accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Your choice of an accident lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. It’s important to select a Las Vegas attorney that can put you in the best position to win your case. That’s why you need to speak with Anthem Injury Lawyers. Get the best accident attorneys in Las Vegas fighting for you. Our experts offer you the best opportunity to win top compensation. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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