Posted on Monday, July 19th, 2021 at 3:14 pm
Is a road trip part of your summer vacation plans? After Covid, many people are deciding to enjoy domestic travel this year. If your destination is far away it’s tempting to drive straight through to maximize the number of days at your vacation site. However, the risk of a car accident increases dramatically for drivers who are short on sleep. Consider the following statistics presented by the Automobile Association of America (AAA):
- Missing just two to three hours of sleep in 24 hours can quadruple your risk of an accident.
- Drivers who have had less than five hours of sleep in the preceding 24 hours have crash risks that are comparable to those of drunk drivers.
What’s particularly concerning is that more than half the drivers involved in fatigue-related crashes experience no symptoms before they fall asleep at the wheel. Consider these safety tips to help you complete your road trip safely:
- Plan to stop every couple of hours on a long trip.
- Take extra care if you are driving through the night when your body is used to resting.
- If you notice any of the following symptoms, pull over promptly and find a safe place to rest: trouble keeping your eyes open, repeated yawning, drifting out of your lane, not being able to recall the last few miles, missing street signs or exits, feeling restless or irritable.
- Avoid snacking on heavy foods or those high in carbs.
- Enlist the help of an alert passenger to monitor you and talk to.
- Share the drive. The “off duty” driver should rest in the back seat. Sitting up front they may become passive drivers which will detract from their ability to get restful sleep.
Enjoy your trip and don’t risk an accident by falling asleep at the wheel. Better to arrive a few hours later than to get into a crash.
Have you or a loved one been a victim of a DUI, car, truck, or motorcycle accident, dog attack, or a slip and fall incident? If so, Tiemann Law Firm can help. Our experienced Sacramento car accident attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, same-day consultation by calling (916) 999-9000
