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Let’s Put an End to Driving While Drowsy in Henderson

Over the years public safety officials have put a lot of effort into a warning the public of the dangers of drinking and driving.  And while people continue to drive under the influence, there has nevertheless been a marked reduction in number of DUI cases seen in Henderson, as compared to what would be expected if no public service campaigns had ever been launched.  But another driving hazard, driving while drowsy, has now becoming a serious issue, and warrants in its own aggressive public service campaign.

Driving while drowsy has been done by practically every motorist who has ever driven at night.  But, the prevalence of the practice does not mean it is safe.  In fact, many studies have concluded that driving while drowsy can be every bit as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And this does not only apply to operating automobiles. A recent train derailment was thought to have been caused by an operator who was operating the train while drowsy.

When driving on the roads, especially at night, if you feel yourself being overtaken by sleep it is better to pull over in a safe area than to continue driving and risk falling asleep and wheel.  Many people think that they can simply power through their drowsy spells, and that’s soon enough they’ll either regain full consciousness or arrive at their destinations.  But the truth is the risks are too great.  Driving while drowsy is not a matter of trying to will yourself through it.  Rather, it is a matter of engaging in risky behavior which is often unnecessary.

 

The Henderson accident attorneys of Jolley Urga Woodbury & Little are here to help. If you have been involved in a serious accident, call us at (702) 699-7500 right away or contact us online, for a free consultation.

Nevada Anti-Texting Campaign Has a Long Road Adhead

Officials in Nevada are calling attention to cell phone use while driving and warning the public not to engage in this extremely dangerous activity.  In a recent article published in the Las Vegas Weekly, the author investigates how this hazard is affecting Nevada roads.

According to the article, Nevada instituted a law in 2012 which imposed a $50 to $250 dollar fine for cell phone use while driving. Enforcement efforts have resulted in citations which have jumped 67% in the last year.  This raises a question: Are authorities discouraging distracted driving by imposing the fines, or do people simply not care?  Are they so wedded to their technology that they will risk not only the fines, but also the well-being of themselves, their passengers, and others on the road, simply to engage in a conversation which can probably wait until later?

There have been numerous public campaigns aimed at putting an end to cell phone use by drivers.  One notable campaign was last year’s “It can wait” anti-texting-while-driving campaign by AT&T.  But the effectiveness of such campaigns is still unproven.

As we enter the month of April, which has been deemed National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we would like to remind drivers in Henderson to focus on the road while they drive, and to ask them to please not use their cell phones while operating a vehicle.

The Henderson accident attorneys of Jolley Urga Woodbury & Little are here to help. If you have been involved in a serious accident, call us at (702) 699-7500 right away or contact us online, for a free consultation. 

How to Avoid Driving Distracted

Modern men and woman have lives which are busier than ever. Not only do we have to worry about all of the same kinds of issues which worried our parents, such as paying the bills and raising the kids, but a whole new world opened up when the technology came onto the scene. This technology has certainly helped us, but it has its downsides as well, especially as it relates to distracted driving. Let’s take a look at some ways to keep technology in its place while operating a vehicle.

Plan Your Route In Advance

One of the easiest things you can do to prevent yourself from constantly having to look down at your GPS system while you drive is to plan your route in advance. Plot your route and take a good look at it in order to get a good overall idea of the roads and exits you will take. And if you need to double check the directions, it is better to pull over than to try to drive and read directions at the same time.

Tell Them You’ll Call Them Back

It can be especially tempting to take personal phone calls while driving. But studies show that even talking on a headset increases the chances you will get into an accident. Instead of talking while driving, avoid answering the phone, or tell the caller you will call them back as soon as you get to your destination.

Make a “No Texting” Rule

One of the most dangerous things a driver can do is to text while they drive. There really is no good reason to ever send text messages while operating a vehicle. If you have a passenger in the car with you, you could ask them to send your text for you. But the best bet is, once again, to just send the text after arriving at your final destination.

Distracted driving accidents are increasing as people continue to make technology use part of their driving experience. This is not only dangerous, but it can be deadly. If you or anyone you know has been injured in a car or truck accident, call the Henderson accident attorneys of Jolley Urga Woodbury & Little at (702) 699-7500 right away or contact us online, for a free consultation on getting the justice and financial compensation you deserve.