When operating a vehicle, it is important that you are 100% awake and alert. There are so many distractions in the world that we live in, that you often hear of the dangers that come with texting while driving or even eating while you are driving. A lot of emphasis is put on driving under the influence of any alcohol or drugs for obvious reasons. However, there is another danger that isn’t talked about nearly as much as it should be; drowsy driving. Citywide Towing Service is here to talk about the dangers that come when you get behind the wheel without being fully rested.
Statistics; Is Drowsy Driving More Dangerous than Drunk Driving?
Each year, there are over 100,000 accidents that take place because someone was sleep deprived while driving their vehicle. Over 1,500 of those accidents have resulted in fatalities. That number is far too high when this is a problem that can and should be easily corrected. There are some experts that even go as far as to say that drowsy driving is almost if not equally as bad as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. If you have caught yourself falling asleep for a second or two while driving, know that you aren’t alone. Just because you aren’t alone, doesn’t mean that something doesn’t need to be done to ensure that it never happens again though.
Those at Risk of Drowsy Driving
Not everyone is at risk of drowsy driving. Different people will respond differently to a lack of sleep. If you are someone who suffers from a sleep disorder like narcolepsy or sleep apnea, you are far more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel than someone that didn’t get as much sleep as they would have liked the night before. Also, people that work shift work where they will work during the day and then switch to nights on a regular basis which messes with their normal sleep schedule are also at a higher risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.
How to Prevent Drowsy Driving
Just like with anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; it’s just the same with drowsy driving. There are steps you can take to help ensure you won’t fall victim to this dangerous driving situation. People who are driving incredibly early in the morning or extremely late at night are more likely to get in an accident. Older people usually hit a drowsy slump in their day during the mid-afternoon hours of the day. Avoid driving during these times when you know that you are going to be sleepy will go a long way in keeping you alert while behind the wheel. If you are constantly feeling sleepy as soon as you get behind the wheel, it may be time to talk to your healthcare professional about a possible sleep disorder.
Towing & Roadside Assistance Services in Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Combine, Coppell, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Highland Park, Hutchins, Lancaster, Lewisville, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Mesquite & Greater Dallas, Texas
If you find yourself in an accident due to drowsy driving, call on the professionals at Citywide Towing Service to take care of any of your towing and roadside assistance needs!
