No matter who you are, you have the potential to become drowsy when driving. If this happens, you should immediately pull to safety and then consider your options.
According to a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of Americans have driven a motor vehicle while drowsy. Even worse, nearly 40% have admitted to falling asleep while driving.
It’s easy to believe you can push through your drowsiness, but doing so is a risk you never want to take. Here are some signs that you should stop and rest:
- You’re unable to focus your eyes on the road
- Your head is bobbing up and down
- You’re daydreaming
- Frequent blinking accompanied by heavy eyelids
- Drifting out of your travel lane
- Feelings of aggression, such as toward other drivers
- Rubbing your eyes
- Yawning
You don’t have to be on a long road trip to find yourself drowsy when driving. This could happen even if you’re traveling a short distance, such as a few miles to your place of employment or a local grocery store.
Also, don’t forget that other drivers may not be as alert as you. For example, if you’re driving at night, there’s a good chance you’ll be in close proximity to drowsy drivers.
If one of these people causes a motor vehicle accident, move to the side of the road and call 911 for help.
Once you receive medical treatment, you can then learn more about your legal rights and contact your car insurance company to file a claim. It’s your hope that you’ll make a full recovery, while also receiving compensation for your injuries and other damages.