Drowsy driving impairs drivers’ abilities and leaves them vulnerable to falling asleep at the wheel. It can trigger major traffic accidents. Unfortunately, Ohio appears to be seeing more and more of the effects of this dangerous conduct.
According to Ohio State Highway Patrol data, drowsing driving accidents have been trending upward lately in the state.
Crash numbers also indicate that the Columbus area is no stranger to the major toll fatigued driving can take out on the roads. Reportedly, over around the last five years, Franklin County has seen nearly 1,000 accidents involving drowsy driving.
What can you do to try to protect yourself from the dangers of fatigued driving?
For one, you can take prevention steps to avoid being a drowsy driver. These include:
- Have a healthy sleep schedule
- Stay off the roads when tired
- If you start to feel tired while driving, find a safe place to stop and take a break, such as a rest stop
Also, when out on the roads, it can be wise to keep an eye out for signs that other drivers may be fatigued at the wheel, so you know when it may be necessary to take extra defensive driving measures. Examples of warning signs of drowsy driving include:
- Erratic behavior
- Swerving
If you spot such red flags when observing other vehicles, you may want to promptly, and safely, contact authorities and report the suspected fatigued driving.
When individuals are harmed by a fatigued driver, it can be important for them to take prompt steps to protect their rights and interests when it comes to matters involving compensation. Fair compensation can be a big help when recovering from significant accident injuries. Experienced car crash attorneys can help victims of accidents caused by drowsy drivers pursue their compensation-related options.