You might never dream of getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink, but would you drive if you slept badly the night before? According to U.S. News and World Report, driving when drowsy is comparable to driving while under the influence of alcohol. In some ways, it may even be worse. So, hitting the road in Louisiana when you are tired may be a fatal choice.
Not getting enough sleep and then driving increases your chances of an accident. You need at least seven hours each night to recharge your body enough to drive safely. Missing just one hour of sleep can double your risk of a car crash.
A lack of sleep slows your reflexes and dulls your concentration, just like alcohol. It also puts you at risk for dozing off while driving, which means you lose total control of your vehicle. You may not even realize that you are falling asleep, especially if you are incredibly sleep deprived.
Drinking coffee, driving with the window down and turning the radio up loud are all common ways people try to combat sleepiness when behind the wheel. While it may seem like these will work, they generally do not. If you are tired, then best thing to do is pull over and rest. It is not worth it to put your life and the lives of others on the road at risk. In the future, you should aim for at least seven hours of sleep at a time. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
