No New Jersey motorist should ever drive while sleep-deprived. However, many people have no choice if they need to get somewhere or have to be in the car for a long period of time, especially if it is part of the job. In order to reduce the number of drowsy driving accidents, many companies have been designing new technology to alert drivers who may not be focusing on the road.
Drivers who are likely to sleep less than six hours a night, who snore or who often become tired during the day are most likely to drive while drowsy. Many people believe that this is specifically a truck driver problem, since those behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle must often drive for long periods of time on very little sleep.
Because trucks are more likely to be involved in these types of accidents, much of the technology has been designed for them. This technology includes forward collision warning systems, which alerts the driver if they are too close to the vehicle in front of them. Some systems may even brake. Road departure warning systems alert the driver if they leave the roadway. In some passenger vehicles, the vehicle will alert the driver if they stop adjusting their steering.
A person who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a drowsy driver may want to meet with a personal injury attorney to determine if any legal recourse is available. In some cases, it might be advisable to file a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence against the responsible party seeking compensation for the damages that have been incurred.