How To Prevent a Drowsy Driving Car Crash

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) designated last week as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®. The NSF is using it as an opportunity to educate the public about the dangers of drowsy driving and offer strategies for preventing drowsy driving car crashes.

Each year, there are 100,000 car accidents caused by drowsy drivers, according to NSF statistics. The American Automobile Association (AAA) says 6,400 of these crashes are fatal.

Shockingly, 37 percent of drivers revealed they had fallen asleep while driving, according to a 2014 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Our Savannah car accident lawyers advise you to take the following steps to help prevent a drowsy driving crash:

The first step in preventing drowsy driving is to get the proper amount of sleep. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep while teenagers need at least eight-and-a-half hours.

If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, talk to a doctor or sleep disorder center to find out if you have a medical condition that makes sleep difficult. There may be treatment options to help you sleep longer.

You should also avoid getting behind the wheel during periods of the day when you would usually be sleeping or times when you know you feel tired.

When you go on road trips, the NSF advises taking regular breaks every two hours or 100 miles.

Also, you need to immediately stop driving if you experience any of the following symptoms of drowsiness:

• Yawning many times
• Struggling to keep your eyes open
• Struggling to keep your head raised
• Irritability
• Drifting in and out of your lane
• Frequent blinking
• Daydreaming

If you notice any of these things, it means you are too tired to drive. You need to pull over immediately, park in a safe place and try to take a nap for about 20 minutes.

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages.

The Nye Law Group’s personal injury lawyers in Savannah, GA offer a free, no obligation consultation to review the legal options available to you. We have detailed knowledge about how to determine fault for a car accident.

Contact our Savannah personal injury law firm today by calling 855-856-4212.