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How can you prevent drowsy driving?

On Behalf of | Oct 22, 2021 | Car Accidents

Fatigue is a danger on the roadways. You may experience drowsiness for various reasons, including long work hours, a new baby or hanging out too late. According to the NHTSA, nearly 700 people died in 2019 due to drowsy driving. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent drowsy driving.

If you want to remain safe on the roadways, you need to know how to prevent driving while drowsy.

Sleep before you drive

If you have a road trip planned, make sure you have plenty of sleep the night before. If you do not want to fall asleep while driving, you need to ensure adequate sleep every night. Most people need between seven and eight hours of sleep to function.

Check your prescriptions ahead of time

If you take any prescription drugs, make sure you read the label before you drive. Some medication does cause sleepiness. If you drive alone and become groggy, you could find yourself in an accident because you have no other driver available. When taking a new medication, do not drive until you know how it may affect you.

Do not drive during peak tired times

Most people have certain times throughout the day and night where they struggle the most with feeling sleepy. For example, many people feel tired in the late afternoon and the middle of the night. Even if you feel awake ahead of time, try not to drive during hours where you usually feel tired or when you typically sleep. You may become tired without warning.

While you can use coffee, energy drinks and short naps to fight off sleepiness in the short term, you should always have plenty of sleep before a road trip. If you are injured in a car accident with a drowsy driver, talking to a personal injury attorney can help you understand your options.

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