There are three “D’s” that make the roads more dangerous than they should be for drivers and passengers alike. These are distractions, drunkenness and drowsiness. Combined, they cause many of the collisions that happen on the roads today.
Did you know that around 50% of American adults have admitted to driving despite being drowsy? Another 1 in 25 admitted to falling asleep within the month before being surveyed. With these individuals driving drowsy, they greatly increase the risk of getting into a collision.
Interestingly, alcohol was believed to be involved in around 9,949 fatal collisions in 2017, and 795 deaths were attributed to drowsy driving. In 2017, 3,166 people died in crashes linked to distracted driving.
All three of these problems lead to crashes, injuries and deaths daily. That’s why it is so important for drivers to think carefully about their state of mind and body before getting behind the wheel.
How can you prevent drunk, drowsy or distracted driving collisions?
It’s simple to avoid these collisions by making sure you never get behind the wheel when you’re already drunk, drowsy or distracted. Find a sober driver if you’ve had anything to drink, and consider getting a ride if you’re too drowsy to get to your destination safely.
If you’re already on the road and become drowsy or distracted, pull over. Though it may feel like you’re delaying your arrival, taking just 20 minutes to get a nap or to answer emails or phone calls won’t make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. It could, however, help save your life or the lives of others who are driving on the roads that day.
What should you do if you’re hit by someone who was drunk, drowsy or distracted?
Your priority should be to get the medical care you need, so that you can focus on your own recovery. Let any officer who arrives know that the other driver was suspected to be distracted, drowsy or drunk, so that they can investigate that claim. Later, you can look into making a claim against the at-fault driver to cover your financial losses.
