Now some folks believe that Halloween is all about tricks and frights–but that is just not the case. Halloween for most people is all about the fun! And what could not be fun about people donning costumes for one night, pretending that they are somebody or something else. Now some people choose to be something sweet like a smiling pumpkin or a friendly ghost, while others prefer something scary, like a menacing monster or a blood-sucking vampire. However, it does not matter if you choose to be a good witch or a bad witch, or are not a witch at all—as long as you have a good time! The truly terrifying nights do not actually happen until well after the 31st day of October. In fact, if you are a motorist or plan to be on the roadways, the time to be scared starts the Monday following Halloween, or November 7th—the d day after Daylight Saving Time ends.
Daylight Savings Time scary? Yes, it may sound a wee bit kooky that an extra hour of sleep can be dangerous to anyone—but it is true! Scientists have found that the act of setting the clocks back one hour can cause disturbed sleep patterns. Disturbed sleep patterns can leave a person feeling groggy. Grogginess is a real problem since the lack of adequate shut-eye can have a negative impact on a person’s driving abilities. This combined with the fact that with fall, there is an earlier dusk and darkness when people are commuting home from work, and you have a recipe for an increase in auto accidents. It is estimated that drowsy drivers are the cause of approximately 1 in every five fatal accidents.
Therefore, it is important for drivers to understand the risks of drowsy driving and to take steps to prevent it from happening to them. Smart drivers can beat the Daylight Saving Time sleepies, by taking actions such as:
- Keep your normal bedtime routine – One problem with Daylight Saving Time is that people get out of their normal bedtime routine by staying up one hour later. Resist the urge to stay awake late on Saturday or Sunday night and instead, opt to wake up 30 minutes earlier both days in preparation for the change.
- Avoid substances that can cause drowsiness – It can take a few days, or for some folks even weeks after the time change, for their body’s to adapt fully. During this time avoid taking any substance that could increase drowsiness—such as medications like cold medicine or pain medications. Also, try to limit your alcohol consumption as alcohol is a depressant and can exacerbate feelings of drowsiness.
- Consider making caffeine your friend—While caffeine usage is not good or recommended for everyone, it can help some motorists by giving them a short-term boost to a driver who is feeling less than completely alert behind the wheel.
If your loved one was seriously injured or killed after being involved in a car crash with a drowsy driver, it is important to contact an experienced Kansas City Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney right away. The seasoned Kansas City Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. will evaluate your case and determine whether you hold another party liable for your injuries and suffering. Our team of skilled Attorneys is prepared to fight until justice has been served. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to work for you, just as they have worked for countless injury victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our compassionate Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.
