
Drowsy driving causes an alarming number of car accidents. Far too many individuals fail to realize how dangerous drowsy driving is until they find themselves involved in an unfortunate collision resulting in an auto insurance claim, property damage, injuries, and in some cases death . We want you to remain safe on the open roads, which is why we have gathered these important tips for knowing when it is time to pull over and take a nap before continuing your journey:
Did you know that driving while drowsy is almost equal to driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol? If you have been deprived of sleep for 18 hours or more, it is equal to having your blood alcohol concentration at 0.08%. This means you are extremely susceptible to getting in an auto accident.
If you have been daydreaming while driving and find that you do not remember the journey of the past few miles, you are likely driving while too drowsy. At this time, it is important that you pull over and either get caffeine or take a nap to ensure safety on the roads.
Driving tendencies that mirror intoxicated driving habits such as drifting out of your lane, tailgating other vehicles, and hitting the shoulder rumble strip means you are too drowsy to drive. Simply pull over and allow yourself an hour to take a nap.
If the typical sleepy signs are starting to set in, yawning, rubbing your eyes, heavy eyelids, frequent blinking, etc., you may need some caffeine before it is safe to navigate the roads. Simply stop at a local gas station and grab a cup of coffee before driving again.
Credit: Fullhart Insurance Agency, Oregon