On a drive, especially on long trips, it’s important for drivers to stay attentive. Keeping their eyes on the road is one thing. As soon as they get behind the wheel, their entire focus should be on the road and other drivers. If drivers don’t prioritize staying alert and focused, they risk injuring themselves and others in a crash.
One major cause of crashes is drowsiness
Research shows that nearly 83.6 million sleep-deprived people are in the workplace, at school and on the road. This means a lot of drivers may be operating vehicles while dangerously tired. A drowsy driver is a dangerous driver for several reasons:
- Impaired judgment behind the wheel: Lack of sleep can negatively affect a driver’s judgment, making it harder to make safe decisions on the road. This can include misjudging distances, speeds and the actions of other drivers.
- Dangerous lapses in attention: Drowsiness increases the risk of “microsleeps”—brief periods of sleep that can last for a few seconds. These lapses in attention can be incredibly dangerous while driving, as even a few seconds of inattention can lead to a serious accident.
- Slowed reaction times: Just like alcohol or drugs, lack of sleep slows down reaction time. A drowsy driver will take longer to react to sudden changes in traffic, unexpected obstacles or other hazards on the road.
Encountering a drowsy driver on the road can be dangerous. The risks of sharing the road with them include an increased chance of collisions.
What to do after a collision
Drowsy-related crashes are often severe, especially on highways. If you are involved in any collision, your safety is the top priority. To safely assess the situation, try to move your vehicle to a safe location off the road if it is safe to do so. If you are unable to move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. If you have any injuries, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
You may be entitled to compensation after a crash caused by a drowsy driver. Consider consulting with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options and understand your rights.