New York motorists who drive drowsy could have a similar experience to those who drive drunk. Driving after staying awake for 24 consecutive hours is similar to driving with a blood alcohol content of .10 percent. That is above the .08 percent threshold states use to determine if a driver is legally drunk. One difference between tired and drunk drivers is that a drunk driver may try to drive slowly and avoid obstacles.
Drowsy drivers may simply go to sleep while driving at a high rate of speed. Those who are in a vehicle with a drowsy driver should learn the signs that someone is too tired to operate it. Those signs include heavy eyelids, drifting out of the proper lane and constant yawning. If those signs are apparent, the driver should be asked to pull over.
After doing so, drivers should drink some coffee or take a nap. They also have the option of letting someone else drive instead if others are in the vehicle. To further decrease the odds of driving while tired, it is a good idea to drive in the morning or whenever a driver is more awake as opposed to when that person usually goes to sleep.
If a driver is operating a motor vehicle while tired, he or she could be seen as acting in a negligent manner. Therefore, victims of car accidents caused by drowsy drivers could be entitled to compensation for their injuries. Compensation may help to pay current and future medical bills as well as help to make up for lost wages or future lost earnings.