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4 preventative steps for avoiding drowsy driving

On Behalf of | Jun 13, 2017 | Blog, Firm News

You may know the feeling of sudden and overwhelming fatigue all too well. Whether you have had a hard day at work or have spent your time doing other mentally or physically strenuous activity, you likely know that sometimes even holding your head up can seem like an impossible challenge. As a result, you certainly attempt to refrain from putting yourself in a position that requires your complete attention.

However, even when you feel completely wiped out due to activity, lack of sleep or other factors, you may have obligations that require you to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Of course, you undoubtedly understand that driving while drowsy can place you and other travelers at risk, and, therefore, you may want to explore preventative measures for feelings of fatigue.

Preventative steps

If you know ahead of time that you will need to travel by car, you can take certain steps to ensure that you do not feel drowsy while driving. Some of those preventative measures include:

  • Getting enough sleep: The average adult needs approximately seven to nine hours of sleep in order to prevent a lack of alertness.
  • Taking breaks: If you have to drive a long way, taking breaks every so often can help keep your mind from drifting or prevent the repetitive scenery from lulling you into an unexpected sense of drowsiness.
  • Having a traveling buddy: One of the best ways to prevent drowsy driving relates to having another driver. If you have another individual to travel with you, that person can help keep you alert while you drive and take over the task when you become too tired.
  • Avoiding sedatives: If you need to take medication, you should check your medication labels or consult with your doctor to determine whether your medication may cause drowsiness. If so, you may want to avoid taking that medicine or find another means of travel.

These preventative steps could help you remain alert and attentive while behind the wheel and reduce your risk of an accident, but you may not have the ability to account for the actions of other drivers.

Dealing with an accident

If another driver does not take these preventative steps or does not take necessary measures to counter fatigue, you could still find yourself involved in an accident due to a drowsy driver. If you suffer injuries in such an event, you may wonder whether pursuing compensation for those injuries and other damages could be worth your while. Gaining information on personal injury claims from an experienced Connecticut attorney could help you make important legal decisions.

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