In a study, 1 in every 24 Americans admitted to recently falling asleep while driving. Health officials running the study think that the statistics are actually higher. Some people don’t realize when they nod off for a second or two behind the wheel. But being unconscious for even a second on the road is extremely dangerous. If one is traveling at 60 mph, in a single second they would travel 88 feet—the length of two school buses. At that momentum, imagine how detrimental a collision might be.
The sleep study’s lead author, Anne Wheaton of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gave a few warning signs of driving drowsily: feeling very tired, not remembering the last mile or two, drifting onto rumble strips on the side of the road.
Some other symptoms to watch out for might be having difficulty keeping your eyes focused or open, drifting from your lane, or tailgating.
Wheaton said that these are signals that a driver should get off the road and rest.
- Get at least 6 hours of sleep the night before a trip
- Schedule a break every 100 miles (or two hours)
- Stay overnight, rather than drive straight through
- Stop driving immediately if you feel yourself become sleepy!
If you have been injured because of someone else’s neglectful driving, call Christensen & Hymas for a FREE legal consultation, (801) 506-0800, or click here to receive a FEE Utah Accident handbook.
From all of us at Christensen & Hymas, take care of yourself, get enough sleep, and stay safe on the road!