Louisiana drivers may sometimes hit the road when they aren’t awake and alert. While you may not think this is a big deal, it can be. This is textbook drowsy driving and it is fast becoming one of the most common risky driving behaviors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say drowsy driving is a serious issue. There are many factors that make it uniquely dangerous. First of all, there is no real social stigma against drowsy driving. Drunk driving and texting while driving are two other examples of distracted driving. But people have been campaigning against them for years. Because of that, there is a stigma that makes some drivers less willing to participate.
Drowsy driving, on the other hand, is still considered acceptable by many. Some workers believe it is a “necessity of adulthood”. Some even brag about how little sleep they get before driving. When peers see this, they believe they can also drive drowsy without fear.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. While some may drive drowsy and make it to their destination fine, this does not always happen. In some cases, a drowsy driver will get into a crash despite not falling asleep at the wheel. This is because drowsy driving:
- Diminishes your reflexes
- Lowers your concentration
- Decreases your ability to spot danger
- Lowers your coordination
And if a driver does fall asleep at the wheel, the consequences are even more catastrophic. Many crashes involving sleeping drivers result in severe injury or even death. This is something everyone should keep in mind the next time you decide to get behind the wheel while tired.