New York City is ironically titled “the city that never sleeps.” Unfortunately, there is a deep truth behind this name. Many New Yorkers rarely obtain adequate sleep and are often sleep-deprived. This can pose a substantial risk to the hundreds of thousands of motorists on the road each day, as drowsy driving has proven to be a significant danger in the state.
Falling asleep behind the wheel can have grave consequences, such as injuring yourself, property, or others, as well as causing the death of you or another individual. According to the National Sleep Foundation, drowsy driving is comparable to drunk driving. If an individual is awake for an extended period of time, he or she will begin exhibiting similar symptoms to being mildly intoxicated. The longer a person is sleep-deprived, the more symptoms he or she will develop.
New York has created a campaign to help combat drowsy driving. The campaign, titled “Stay Awake! Stay Alive! Don’t Drive Drowsy,” has outlined common signs of drowsy driving, which include:
- Yawning repeatedly
- Struggling to keep your eyes open or focused
- Forgetting the last few miles driven
- Tailgating or missing traffic signals
- Swerving or drifting between lanes of traffic
If an individual is prone to drowsy driving, it is suggested that he or she adhere to the following recommendations:
- Get an adequate amount of sleep each night
- Make regular stops while driving
- Switch drivers every 100 miles or two hours
- Avoid driving late at night
- Avoid medications that increase drowsiness, among others
Turning up the radio, opening the windows, or turning on the air conditioner are not adequate to combat drowsiness behind the wheel; the only remedy is sleep. The campaign also recommends that individuals should not rely on caffeine to stay awake, as this is only a temporary fix and will not have lasting results.
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Despite the efforts, drowsy driving will continue to be a major contributor to accidents in New York. If you or a loved one have been injured or killed by a drowsy driver, it is important to contact an experienced New York personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights and remedies. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Laurence C. Tarowsky are highly knowledgeable and knowledgeable in handling personal injury cases and can potentially help you achieve the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact our New York personal injury law office today to schedule your free case evaluation.