I Am Planning a Long Road Trip, What Should I Know About Drowsy Driving?

This is a very important question as driving drowsy, (not fully awake), is as dangerous as driving drunk and has been found by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to be the cause of 100,000 crashes each year.

Here is a typical scenario of an accident caused by driving drowsy:

• Crash occurs late at night/early morning or mid-afternoon (between midnight and 6 am. and between 1 pm and 5 pm)
• It is a serious accident
• A single vehicle leaves the roadway
• Often on high-speed roads
• There is no attempt to avoid the crash
• The driver is alone in the vehicle
• Young male driver age 16 to 29

Here are the best things to do to prevent this happening to you:

1. Drive when alert and rested, after getting a good night’s sleep.
2. Avoid alcohol especially when tired – it is a dangerous mix for driving.
3. Avoid driving between midnight and 6 in the morning and beware of the afternoon slump between 1 and 5.
4. If you get drowsy and heavy headed, pull over and take a power nap for 20 minutes, or switch drivers.
5. Have someone keep the driver company while driving during the peak drowsy times of the day.
6. Take breaks every hour or two and stretch your legs.
7. Avoid driving long hours in one day, especially if alone.

Here are some other safety tips for road trips: 5 Simple Things You Can Do To Make Your Holiday Road Trip Safer.

For more information on drowsy driving: AAA Fondation for Traffic Safety

We at Meldon Law strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one.

We are experienced personal injury attorneys, trial attorneys, negotiators, litigators, paralegals, and staff that have been proudly working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 40 years in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, and the rest of North Central Florida and North Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and criminal defense are all included in our practice.

Based on Jeffrey Meldon’s, founder of Meldon Law, over 40 years of helping accident victims get justice and a fair shake from the insurance companies, he has written the consumer guide book, Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case. You can request your free, no obligation copy right now, or contact our office for your complimentary copy sent to you today.

Contact Meldon Law at 800-373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto, truck, or motorcycle accident. We are in your community, have the experience and resources required to work towards obtaining a fair settlement for you – we are here to help you.