When we think about what could cause impairment on the road, we think about things like texting and driving or driving under the influence of alcohol. One factor that doesn’t often appear, but can significantly affect your safety on the road, is fatigued driving. One study estimates that nearly one in every five crashes occurs because of driver fatigue.

What is Fatigued Driving?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends each adult gets at least 7 hours of sleep a night. When a person does not get enough sleep, their driving can become impaired, similarly to someone who’s driving impaired from drinking. Some significant effects caused by fatigue are:

• Lapse in decision-making skills
• Slowed reaction time
• Microsleeps (small naps that can be anywhere from less than a second to almost half a minute)
• Memory loss
• Tunnel vision (losing the ability to gauge what’s occurring in your peripheral vision)

When behind the wheel, being aware of your surroundings is key to staying safe, and driving while fatigued can seriously damage your ability to do so.

How Can You Combat Fatigue?

When it comes to driving while tired, there are several methods that you can use to stay alert. One of the most important is sleep. As mentioned above, get at least seven hours of sleep each night to rest your brain correctly and prepare for the day. If you feel fatigued while driving on the road, pull over as soon as possible. While stopped, consider ways to combat fatigue, such as drinking a cup of coffee or taking a short nap. When on the road, be vigilant during rush hour. Rush hour is when people who are fatigued from waking up and from a long day’s work will share the road with you.

Has a Fatigued Driver Affected Your Life?

Have you been a victim of an accident involving a fatigued driver? The team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can help you understand your legal options. Call us at (888) 425-6070 or reach out through our website today.