As part of the sales team at Woodward Inc., you travel all over the world to meet with clients. You spend a good part of your life recovering from jet lag and often drive from the airport to your home in Machesney Park when you feel exhausted.
Drowsy Driving Is Impaired Driving
This practice is much more dangerous than you realize. According to the National Sleep Foundation, driving when you have not slept in the last 18 hours is equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent—the legal limit. Just like drunk driving, drowsy driving slows down your reaction time, impairs your judgment, and increases your chances of causing a serious accident.
What You Can Do to Combat the Problem
Drowsy driving accidents are largely preventable. You can take the following steps to help prevent a serious drowsy driving crash:
- Get enough sleep before you take to the road. Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep in order to be alert enough to get behind the wheel.
- Stop and take a break every two hours.
- Travel with another driver so that you can share the driving.
- Do not drink alcohol—even small quantities—before you head out on the road.
- Do not take medication that can make you feel drowsy before you drive.
- If you feel sleepy, stop driving. Find a place to spend the night, stop and get a cup of coffee, or pull into a rest stop and take a short nap.
Have you lost a loved one in a drowsy driving accident? Contact us today to learn how we can help you to get answers to your questions and the compensation you deserve for your tragic loss.
