Drowsy driving is a big cause of car or truck accidents on Atlanta’s busy roads, and yet we hear so much about the risks of distracted driving and drunk driving that it is easy to forget that drowsy driving is a major source of accidents as well.
Due to the unpredictability of fatigue, drowsy driving poses an even greater risk. Sleepiness or weariness can sneak up on you in the middle of a drive, putting you at risk for an accident even if you do not go behind the wheel after you have had a drink or put your phone away while driving. Read on to get tips from Georgia legal experts
- Get a good night’s rest.
Get plenty of shut-eye before getting behind the wheel. The reality is that we must face this head-on. Drowsy driving is more common when people do not get enough sleep.
If you know you could get fatigued while driving, it is best not to be in the driver’s seat by yourself. If you are traveling on a long trip or will be driving at odd hours, this is very important to remember.
- Medication checks
It is important to monitor your drug intake. Numerous drugs cause drowsiness, which may have more of an impact on you than you think.
Consuming caffeine in the form of coffee or an energy drink is a temporary fix. You only need one or two to stay awake.
What to do if you find yourself dozing asleep?
If you feel yourself nodding off while driving, it is best to pull over to a safe location and take a nap. To regain your attentiveness, a lengthy nap is not necessary. A short nap can refresh you enough to keep you awake while driving.
Even if you do all in your power to avoid becoming a drowsy driver, the danger of an accident still increases because of other tired drivers.
The law in Atlanta requires all motorists to act in a reasonable and safe manner on the road. The specific nature of this obligation will vary with each case.
Cases involving sleepy driving and proving carelessness
A personal injury case can be useful in recovering damages after an accident caused by a sleepy driver. Proving that the other driver was too sleepy to be behind the wheel will strengthen your case.
As opposed to cases involving drunk driving, where proof like a blood alcohol test result is readily available, proving that someone was too tired to be driving may be difficult.
