The Dangers of Drowsy Driving and Tips for Staying Safe

How drowsy driving can put you at risk

In today’s fast-paced society, action is nonstop. People are always going somewhere, no matter the time of day. So drowsy driving is an unfortunate and often overlooked, accident hazard. Sleep deprivation effects can even be directly compared to those of drunk driving.

This is especially relevant in California, which has notoriously dangerous roads and particularly active communities like San Francisco. As you live your daily life, it’s important to know the risks of drowsy driving and how you can stay safe on the roads. Find out how to avoid a San Francisco car accident and keep yourself alert.

The Problem With Drowsy Driving

There’s no way to tell how many drowsy drivers are on the road at any time since their drowsiness will not be known unless an accident occurs. However, the Sleep Foundation reports that 60% of survey participants have admitted to driving while sleepy in years past, and one out of 25 adults has fallen asleep at the wheel within a month’s time. In one year, about 91,000 crashes resulted from drowsy drivers at the wheel, causing about 50,000 injuries and 800 deaths. Other studies estimate that over one-fifth of all auto crash deaths involve a driver falling asleep at the wheel.

Studies show that sleep deprivation is like alcohol consumption in the way it can affect your driving ability. If a person stays awake for 24 hours straight, their ability to drive becomes like that of a person with a blood alcohol level of .10, which exceeds the .08 legal limit.

Sleepless in San Francisco

San Francisco has developed a new reputation as a city that never sleeps. It is home to Silicon Valley, the global center of technological innovation, and its many professionals work for tech, software, and internet companies. As a result, many are exposed to artificial light from tablets and smartphones, which studies show may disrupt natural sleep rhythms, causing fewer hours of sleep. On average, residents sleep for six hours and 34 minutes a night, making San Francisco car accidents more likely.

This lack of sleep can cause problems on the road. Navigating around San Francisco by car is not the easiest task. Heavy traffic is a given, and adequate parking is scarce and expensive. Visitors are actually advised to avoid driving at all while in San Francisco. However, this is not an option for many who live or work in the city. Trying to get around town in heavy traffic while not fully alert can lead to challenges on the road. In recent years, an average of 28 fatalities per year occurred in auto accidents in the city alone.

Avoiding Accidents When Extra Sleep Isn’t Possible

Of course, getting a good night’s sleep is always best. When you’re well-rested, you can be more productive. You’re more alert when driving, and less likely to get into an accident. However, there are steps you can take to avoid drowsy driving even if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep.

If you avoid driving on weekdays between the rush hours of 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m., it may go a long way toward helping you avoid a San Francisco car accident. Consider taking public transportation or rideshare services. Not only can that help you stay safe on the road, but it can also save you money on parking.

If you’re about to take a long road trip, you can plan ahead to take breaks instead of driving for many hours nonstop. Avoid driving between midnight and 6 a.m., when you’re more likely to feel drowsy, as well as in the early afternoon. If you need to drive during early afternoon hours, eating a lighter meal instead of a big lunch is less likely to lead to sleepiness.

It’s a good idea to have a travel companion with you. Drowsy driving is more common among drivers who are alone in their vehicles. Having a passenger to keep you company or taking turns behind the wheel can help you to stay alert. If you don’t have a passenger, consider talking to someone on the phone, as long as you can use hands-free communication.

Finally, it’s wise to avoid alcohol and sedatives before your road trip. They can affect your quality of sleep, causing you to feel drowsy even during your next day on the road. While the caffeine in coffee can help in the short term, once it wears off, drinking more caffeine is often less helpful.

If you do find yourself feeling drowsy while behind the wheel, don’t force yourself to keep going. Look for the next chance to pull over to a safe location and rest. A short power nap may be all you need to perk up.

If You Get Into a San Francisco Car Accident

Even after taking all necessary precautions, you may find yourself in a car accident in San Francisco. Accidents can be disorienting and stressful, especially when sleep deprivation is involved. However, taking the steps below can help you get the information you or your lawyer needs to file a claim and move forward:

• Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance information, but don’t talk in detail about the accident or how you feel.
• Take photos of the damage to both vehicles.
• Call the police to make a report.
• Seek medical attention if necessary.
• Decide if you need an accident lawyer.

A San Francisco car accident lawyer can represent you in the days following an unfortunate accident. You don’t have to go through this alone. Your attorney can file insurance claims for you and interact with your medical providers. This can take a load off of your shoulders and give you peace of mind since car accidents are not only inconvenient but often painful and traumatizing.

Conclusion

San Francisco traffic can be tough to deal with, and since the city has a new reputation for staying active, its roads are traveled by many who may be drowsy. Drowsy driving is a safety hazard that has caused serious accidents and even deaths. There are steps you can take to stay safe, but if you are still injured in a San Francisco car accident, an attorney can help.

• Authors’s name: Jack Chemtob.
• Bio: I’m the founder and CEO of Accident.com, a leading network of nationwide injury attorneys. I’m responsible for corporate strategy, executive team leadership, and overall business operations across all the company’s segments. With over 10 years of experience, I have held various strategic and operating positions at companies including SOSV (the largest seed VC), Morgan Stanley (in investor relations), and Warby Parker (in customer experience operations)