When you get behind the wheel of your car, it’s important that you feel your best. If you’re drowsy for any reason, such as a lack of sleep the night before, it’s better to wake up before you hit the road.
It’s critical that you never ignore the many signs of drowsy driving, as doing so could lead you to fall asleep at the wheel. And if this happens, you are almost guaranteed of being part of a motor vehicle accident.
Here are some of the most common signs of drowsy driving:
- Inability to focus on the road ahead
- Frequent blinking and heavy eyelids
- Trouble remembering where you have been over the past few miles
- Irritability, such as getting easily upset with other drivers
- Trouble keeping your head up and your eyes on the road
- Yawning
- Rubbing your eyes
- Drifting out of your lane
- Tailgating the vehicle in front of yours
If you begin to do these things, don’t wait a single minute to move your vehicle to safety. You should stop your car, assess your situation and decide what to do next. You may need to get some rest before you continue on the road.
Just the same, watch for other drivers who may be drowsy. For example, if it’s late at night and a person is drifting from lane to lane, they may not be fit to operate a motor vehicle.
If you’re part of a drowsy driving accident, move your car to the side of the road and call 911 for help. After medical treatment, you can contact your insurance company and decide how to best hold the negligent driver responsible.
