There is never a good time to find yourself drowsy when you’re behind the steering wheel of your car. If this happens, you should pull to the side of the road without delay. Pushing forward puts you, as well as other drivers, at a greater risk of an accident.
Here are some of the top signs that you’re too drowsy to drive:
- Difficulty focusing on the task at hand
- Daydreaming, such as thinking about things that have nothing to do with driving
- Rubbing your eyes
- Repeated yawning
- Trouble recalling what happened over the past few miles on the road
- Difficulty keeping your head up
- Irritability, often toward other drivers
- Drifting from your lane of travel
These are just some of the many signs that you may be too drowsy to drive. Even if you’re close to home and feel that you can make it the next few miles, you don’t want to forge ahead.
While it’s important that you remain alert at all times, you don’t have any control over other drivers. The best thing you can do is watch out for people who are showing signs of being drowsy.
If you’re part of an accident with a drowsy driver, you’ll want to call 911 for immediate assistance. An ambulance can arrive at the scene to provide medical treatment. And of course, police can arrive to take statements, create a report and take full control.
Once you receive treatment and have a clear idea of your prognosis, you can then turn your attention to the cause of the accident, who was at fault and how to seek compensation.
Source: National Sleep Foundation, “Drowsy Driving,” accessed Feb. 08, 2018
