We all get tired sometimes, however, you cannot afford to get tired when you are at the wheel. Even a second’s microsleep could be enough for you to end up crashing.
While tiredness is a natural phenomenon, sometimes people do things that make it more likely that tiredness strikes when they are driving. Here are some examples.
Taking medications where drowsiness is a side effect
It’s important to read the instructions for any medication carefully. Many have side effects that could be problematic, such as causing drowsiness. Examples include certain cough medicines and antihistamines.
Changing shift patterns
You might not have much choice about the shifts you are allocated, but you need to know that the disruption to your sleep patterns could end up being fatal if it causes you to doze off at the wheel. The danger is particularly high just after you swap shift patterns.
Staying out late or up late
Whether you are out partying till the small hours or sat at home binge-watching a Netflix series, going to bed past your normal time can be costly. It can be difficult to avoid disruptions to sleep altogether and sticking rigidly to the same hours of sleep might cause you to miss out on work and fun. Just remember, though, that having a crash is no fun and could seriously affect your ability to work and do the things you enjoy.
Taking extra care if you know you are short on sleep is wise as the roads are filled with drivers who are not always driving as safely as they should. Ideally, you would avoid driving altogether on these days, but that might be complicated. If you are involved in a crash, it’s important to know that the other party’s insurer might look for ways to blame it on you. If they suspect you were drowsy, they might claim that is why the crash happened. Seeking guidance to show what the other driver did wrong may be crucial to getting compensation.