The Barnes Firm

Wake Up Call

• September 6, 2016
• Sandy

OAKLAND, Calif. – Set your clocks forward this weekend – and make sure you get plenty of rest because that lost hour can be felt throughout the entire week. Starting Sunday, it’s officially Sleep Awareness Week and it aims to keep drivers awake at the wheel.

An Oakland car accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm says the upcoming week is one of the most dangerous weeks to be on the roads.

“It’s just an hour but that one lost hour makes it more difficult to stay awake at the wheel in Oakland,” car accident attorney Landon Vivian said. “Those who work night shifts, commercial drivers and new parents are also more likely to feel the effects of the time change.”

Sleepiness can impair drivers with effects similar to those who are inebriated. Some of the effects of drowsiness include slow reaction time, impaired vision and lapses in judgment. According to police, any driver who falls asleep and causes an accident could lose their driver’s license.

Drowsy driving became such an epidemic that many states spent up to 30-cents per foot to install rumble strips along thousands of miles of highways. Although these infrastructure improvements can deter sleepiness, drowsy drivers still cause thousands of crashes each year.

“We’ve seen some drivers open a window or turn on the air conditioning, thinking it will help them stay awake – but it doesn’t,” Vivian said. “These techniques aren’t effective and we often see those same drowsy drivers rear-end another car and injure themselves or another person.”

The Oakland car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm are now urging drivers to be aware of their sleepiness this week following another switch to Daylight Savings Time. If you do feel sleepy while operating a vehicle, attorneys say there are several options that are much safer:

• Get rest. Most Americans do not get the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night but after a time switch, it’s crucial to get enough sleep.
• Take frequent breaks. Doctors say even a 15 to 20 minute ‘power nap’ can help the body rejuvenate but eventually, you may require a full night’s sleep.
• Never drink alcohol before driving.
• Be aware of your medications and their side effects. Many meds cause drowsiness and should not be taken before driving.

The Barnes Firm 1-(800) 800-0000