Preventing Driver Fatigue
With over 1,500 deaths and 100,000 crashes a year, driver fatigue accidents are on the rise. Learn more about how to protect yourself from being involved in one of these devastating crashes. If you have been involved in a driver fatigue caused accident speak to a
car accident lawyer about the details of your case.
Driver fatigue has become a serious issue causing a considerable amount of accidents that include fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association states, “Drowsy driving is a serious problem that leads to thousands of automobile crashes each year.”
DrowsyDriving.org shares that “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving causes at least 100,000 police-reported crashes and kills more than 1,550 Americans each year.” The victims of these accidents suffer physical and emotional trauma that can last a lifetime. If your quality of life has been changed due to a car accident, contact a personal injury attorney or car accident lawyer immediately.
Driving fatigue prevention can save lives and thousands of dollars in medical bills and heightened insurance premiums every year.
So what can you do to prevent being in an accident with a driver who is suffering from fatigue?
Practice Defensive Driving
Learn to drive defensively. There are certain driving techniques that can minimize the risk of an accident such as carefully observing the driving patterns and habits of those around you.
Drivers should watch for:
• Swerving
• Excessive speed
• Wandering over the center line
• Slowing unnecessarily
Drivers should also:
• Assess other drivers
• Anticipate the drivers’ moves
• Leave yourself room for error
• Know when driver fatigue occurs and avoid driving during those times
According to SmartMotorist.com driver fatigue and drowsy driving often occur:
• In the early morning hours (late night driving)
• In the afternoon
• On long monotonous roads
What can you do to prevent your own driver fatigue?
• Get plenty of sleep
• Avoid driving between midnight and 6:00 am
• Avoid the 2:00 pm slump
• Avoid sedative medications while driving
• Seek treatment for sleep disorders
• Do not drink and drive
• Once drowsy, pull over and stop driving
• Consume caffeine if you are drowsy and need to continue driving
• Reduce stress to increase successful sleep habits
• Take a nap
• Take frequent breaks while driving
• Know the symptoms of drowsy driving
The SmartMotorist.com offers the following symptoms of drowsy driving:
• Heavy eyelids
• Frequent yawning
• Drifting vehicle
• Varying vehicle speeds
• Misjudging traffic situations
• Feeling fidgety or irritable
• Daydreaming
• Delayed reactions
• Seeing things that really aren’t there
By knowing the symptoms of driver fatigue and practicing defensive driving, you can become a positive influence in the prevention of driving fatigue accidents. However, if you have been involved in an accident and injured due to someone else’s negligence, complete our short questionnaire for a list of qualified car accident lawyers in your area.