Is DWVT a real word/charge? No (at least we don’t think so). But can driving while very tired cause trouble for you this holiday season? Absolutely so. Drunk driving is not the only danger on the road; distracted driving and drowsy driving can be very dangerous and can get you in trouble with the law.

WHAT IS DROWSY DRIVING?

According to the CDC, drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough. They continue on to say that drowsiness:
- makes you less able to pay attention to the road.
- slows reaction time if you have to brake or steer suddenly.
- affects your ability to make good decisions.

Sound familiar? These can also be effects of driving under the influence of alcohol. And a police officer may pull you over for these things, prepared to issue a DWI or DUI for your actions.

“OFFICER, BUT I’M NOT DRUNK!”

When a person is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police officers may use field sobriety tests. Field sobriety tests gauge a person’s coordination, balance, and simple motor skills but sometimes even sober people fail the tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sanctioned three field sobriety tests: the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the one-leg stand, and the walk-and-turn tests. Reasons that people may fail these tests include stress and nervousness, inner ear problems, physical problems, age and weight, tiredness, and possibly even officer bias. Someone who is sleep deprived may also display one of law enforcement's favorite indicators of intoxication, bloodshot or watery eyes. “You have the right to remain silent.”

WHAT NOW?

So you’ve been arrested for a DWI, but you’re not drunk. Surely you can clear this up, right? Well, yes. But you’ve already been arrested, so this will now be part of your record. With the sobriety tests, the police officer established probable cause for a DWI. You may be able to clear yourself with a breathalyzer test to prove that you are indeed sober, but there is still a record of the arrest.

WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID THIS?

Get enough rest! Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Since you know you’ll be going shopping very early (and for many, many, many hours) on Black Friday, make sure to get some sleep beforehand. Plan your Thanksgiving gatherings to allow a refreshing nap before heading out to shop. After all, you want to be awake so you don’t miss that last $49 smart watch or the $6 pajamas! You may also want to stop halfway through your shopping spree for a coffee break. Caffeine takes some time to enter your system, so allow a little time before getting back behind the wheel. Caffeine can indeed increase alertness, but it’s no substitute for sleep. While this may be an option to help you stay alert for this one night, make sure that you don’t regularly let caffeine take the place of a good night’s sleep. And finally, invite a friend to tag along. Shopping is more fun with a buddy (or two or three). The AAA suggests having a front seat passenger as a strategy to avoid drowsy driving since an alert passenger can watch you for signs of fatigue.

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP!

 …but make sure you pull over and park the car way before you’re ready to drop. Being a safe and alert driver is one of the best gifts you can give your family, so make sure you don’t jeopardize your safety just to catch the good sales. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday shopping are much more fun without getting a DWI arrest on your way home. For more information on how Smart Start of Louisiana is trying to keep the roadways safe this holiday season with our ignition interlock device products, browse our website to learn more about us.