Driving is an extremely dangerous activity that most of us partake on a daily basis.
Sleepiness and driving is a dangerous combination. All people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving but don't realize that drowsy driving can be just as deadly. Like alcohol, being sleepy slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment, and increases your risk of crashing.
It's nearly impossible to determine that the cause of a fatal crash was sleepiness. Unlike alcohol-related crashes, there is no blood test to determine if the driver was under the influence of alcohol. But the absence of alcohol may give us some clues. Some clues that can tell investigators that drowsiness was involved entail a lone driver, skid marks, other evasive maneuvers, and a lack of alcohol in the driver's blood.
There are many underlying causes of sleepiness. The most obvious would be from a lack of sleep that one got the night (or nights) before, fragmented sleep, chronic sleep debt; circadian rhythm interrupters, narcolepsy, and other factors contribute to this dangerous driving method. The consumption of alcohol certainly doesn't help and will make you sleepier. (That's two red flags!)
Sleepiness or Fatigue Causes the Following
- Problems with information processing and short-term memory
- Impaired reaction, judgment, and vision
- Decreased performance, motivation, and vigilance
- Increased moodiness and aggressive and irrational behaviors
In addition to the dangers of driving under the influence of sleepiness, some states are considering legislation that would allow police to charge sleepy drivers with criminal negligence if they injure or take the life of another while they are driving.
The only way to be protected is by having the right
auto insurance. You need a policy that will work to keep you safe whenever you are behind the wheel of your vehicle.
Contact the independent insurance professionals at Little & Sons Insurance Services for all of your car insurance needs in Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, and surrounding California areas. We will work with you to find the coverage you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.
