Nobody should get behind the wheel of a vehicle unless they are well-rested and able to drive safely. Some people may not realize that the chance of fatigued driving is often increased during the summer months, partially because of hot weather, vacation travel, holiday weekends, long work hours and late nights.
It’s possible that a driver may feel awake when they start the trip. The alertness might be profound at first, but it may start to wear off as the trip progresses. Eventually, they may start to wind down because of being awake for so long, the heat, and the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
Dangers of drowsy driving
Drowsy driving can lead to many negative driving effects, including reductions in reaction time, attention, judgement and lane control. Many of these effects mimic those of someone who’s impaired. In fact, if a driver hasn’t slept in 20 hours, they will have the same driving effects as someone who has a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, which is considered legally intoxicated.
The effects of fatigue on driving can also occur in shorter periods. Even mild sleep deprivation, which is common if the driver only sleeps six or seven hours per night, can also lead to impairments that make driving more unsafe than usual.
Another considerable danger of drowsy driving is microsleeps. A microsleep occurs if the driver dozes off for a few seconds or longer. During that time, the vehicle doesn’t have anyone controlling it, so there’s a considerable chance of a crash occurring, especially at higher speeds.
No easy remedy
There isn’t any easy remedy for drowsy driving. Some people believe that drinking caffeine or blasting music can help them to stay awake, but those are myths. They may make it possible for the driver to stay awake for a short period, but sleep is the only cure for drowsy driving.
Victims of drowsy driving crashes will need immediate medical care, and they may opt to pursue a claim for compensation. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial since these cases can be complex and have strict time limits.