Fatigued Driving
According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of adult drivers admitted to drowsy driving within the past year, and 37% reported actually falling asleep behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 100,000 accidents every year occur as a result of fatigued driving. Of these crashes, 1,550 result in deaths while 40,000 result in injury.
Signs of Drowsy Driving
Many individuals have trouble determining that they are too drowsy to drive and think they can keep themselves awake. However, if telltale signs of fatigued driving start occurring, it’s time to stop and rest, get some caffeine, or get an adequate amount of sleep. Signs that a driver is impaired by fatigue include the following:
- Heavy eyelids
- Frequent blinking
- Excessive yawning
- Daydreaming or disconnected thoughts
- Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
- Drifting from your lane
- Irritability
Any of the above signs should signal a driver that it’s time to stop driving, as they are putting themselves and others on the road at risk. It is a driver’s responsibility to drive safely; drowsy driving is very risky and often leads to lapses in attention and, ultimately, vehicular accidents.
Contact a San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
If you or someone you know is a victim of a drowsy driving incident, we can help you seek justice. At Ritter & Associates, our San Diego personal injury attorneys can help you file a claim to seek legal compensation. Contact us today at (619) 296-0123 for more information.
