Along with distracted and intoxicated driving, drowsy driving remains a problem in Connecticut and across the U.S. In fact, according to one survey, an alarming 20% of drivers report having fallen asleep behind the wheel in a recent one-year period. More than 40% of surveyed drivers said they had fallen asleep at some time in the past.
Clearly, if you are not alert enough to maintain control of your vehicle, you are in danger of having a serious accident that may result in life-altering injuries. Here are three tell-tale signs you may be too drowsy to drive safely.
1. Irregular blinking
Your body has a few ways to tell you it needs rest. Frequent and irregular blinking are two of them. If you are blinking more or less than usual, it is probably time to stop your vehicle and take a nap. This is especially true if yawning accompanies your changes in blinking.
2. Memory difficulties
If you cannot seem to remember some of your trip, you may be experiencing fatigue or may have even fallen asleep behind the wheel. Likewise, if you miss a turn, forget directions or have other memory difficulties, you may no longer be a safe driver due to a lack of rest.
3. Unsafe driving
To keep yourself and others safe, you must maintain your lane. If you drive over a shoulder rumble strip, drift into a different lane, blow through a stop sign or unintentionally engage in other unsafe driving behaviors, drowsiness may be to blame.
It is not only your responsibility to drive safely, of course. If another driver’s drowsiness causes a collision that injures you, you may be eligible for financial compensation to help you recover from the crash and move on with your life.
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