Medicated driving and sleep deprivation –a holiday recipe for a car crash or traffic ticket

Drinking and medicated driving
Over-the-counter meds and drinks — don’t mix!

Recently a woman caused a head-on collision  by turning and driving the wrong way on a major roadway through the center of town at 9:30 pm.

The news reported that drugs and alcohol were definite factors in this crazy accident.  What else could have caused such a preventable car crash?

The comment section went crazy over this driver’s irresponsibility.  Public anger and backlash are understandable, especially if you think of your loved one’s life  being endangered.

One person’s compassionate response stood out above the rest…. Hey, it’s cold and flu season. This lady could have just taken some Nyquil and without thinking had a drink at a holiday party. It could be a case of medicated driving. We don’t know the details…

Can a simple dose of Nyquil (or other similar cold and flu medications) actually contribute to  irrational thinking and a serious car accident?

Well, yes!  Especially if combined with illness, an alcoholic drink,  lack of sleep, and an over-the-counter cold and flu med can be powerful enough to really fog up your mind.

According to everydayhealth.com, “This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.” https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/nyquil-cold-and-flu-alcohol-free

Sometimes we forget the facts about the effects of just this one med on the human body. It’s not the medication’s fault.

Add in other risk factors, most especially alcohol and sleep-deprivation.  Most of us are highly aware of the risk of taking pain medications with an alcoholic drink.  If we’re smart, we also warn our teens about this risk as they grow older.

However, when you’re not feeling well, but the party’s going to go on without you, you may not give that over-the-counter cough and cold medication a second thought.

Without thinking, you may accidentally dose yourself with the night-time version instead of the non-drowsy formula.

We’re human.  Accidents happen. So does accidental medicated driving.

John Hopkins, Harvard, and WebMD also all cite sleep-deprivation as a serious risk factor in car accidents. 

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss#1

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-sleep/health-risks/the-effects-of-sleep-deprivation

Safe to say — the experts agree on this topic.  The sad truth is, you or a loved one  may not even realize that you fall into this category of sleep deprivation.

“Sleep deprivation can also affect your judgment so that you don’t notice its effects.” (see Hopkins link above).

It’s a road risk factor that plagues all ages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving accounted for 803 traffic fatalities in 2016.  There were no specific statistic for deaths caused by over-the-counter medicated driving.

We all tend to underestimate our level of tired.

However, younger drivers are more inclined to think of themselves as invincible. If you are under the age of 25, you are at the greatest risk for drowsy driving accidents, according to WebMD.

With lots of holiday travels for the New Year ahead  of us this week, and cold and flu season in full swing, please think twice before you medicate and drive. One at-fault car accident can change your life forever!

Already facing a ticket or charges due to medicated or drowsy driving? You need the aggressive, compassionate help of an experienced traffic lawyer in the greater St. Louis area. The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC  will provide a free initial consultation. http://steimel-law.com/dwi.html

Your traffic attorney can help you reduce points on your license and record to make your 2018 easier and brighter!  Call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC to get help today. 636-244-3737

 

 

3 ways to stay safer during this busy holiday season

Moving traffic safety violations?

No one likes coming in last. But according to the 2017 report from the National Safety Council, Missouri ranked last in the nation for preventable accidents and deaths.  Safety issues should be a top 2018 goal for Missouri residents.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-ranks-last-in-new-national-safety-council-report-on/article_547cd9d5-8216-586b-9cd2-bc619567262a.html

A deadly late October 2017 rollover car crash in Saint Charles County illustrates this point. Neither the driver nor his passenger were wearing their seat belts. Both were ejected from the car and died as a result. Tragically, both young men were in their early twenties with their whole lives ahead of them.

We’d like to hold our children’s hands forever and keep them safe into adulthood.

But that’s not our job!

Often, the most powerful way we can influence them is by example. Fiercely-independent minded Missourians, here are some ways you can help improve the road safety statistics during this busy holiday season.

1.  We’ve said it before. Buckle up!
More than 50%  of traffic fatalities occur because of failure to wear a seat belt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html

There’s no reason we cannot set the example in this area, whether you are a parent or not. Insist that your passengers wear seat belts.

Recently I pulled over when I realized a young passenger of mine was still struggling to put on his seat belt.  We stopped until the problem was resolved. End of story. No one rides in my vehicle without buckling up.

2. Put down the phone, especially in work zones.

These zones can sneak up on you quickly. It’s so easy to blink and miss a sign for upcoming road construction, especially if you’re chatting on the phone.

In many states it is illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving.

Just last week, we witnessed a driver illegally cut over a lane in front of a police officer because he was distractedly talking on his cell.  Bad move!  We saw him get busted. Kinda cheered. Just saying.

Cell phones and driving — it’s a trend that’s here to stay. Hands-free chatting is cheap, easy, and much safer. Just do it already!

3. Use your manners when you drive.

Let’s take a quick quiz! How mannerly are you on the road?

Do you always, sometimes, or never do the following?

a. Use your blinker when turning.

b. Yield when merging into traffic.

c. Keep at least a car-length between you and the car in front of you while driving.

d. Allow for a car-length distance when changing lanes in front of a slower vehicle.

If you answered ALWAYS to this short list, your momma would be proud of you!  You’re probably a model Missouri driver. Keep up the good work.

If you fall into the “sometimes” or “never” category, chances are you may have a few moving violation tickets under your belt. The state of Missouri is unhappy with you — they have a reputation to improve.

Are you at risk for losing your license?  Even failure to use your signal properly can mean two points on your license in Missouri.  Those small moving violations, like credit card debt, add up quickly!

The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC offers experienced, aggressive legal help for folks with moving traffic violations — even if you had a bad day and forgot your traffic manners.

Call 636-244-3737 for a free case evaluation today from an experienced Missouri traffic attorney.  

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

 

 

Why you SHOULD go to court for a moving violation in Missouri

Would you say drunk drivers or speeding drivers cause more car crash fatalities each year? You might be surprised!

According to data collected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol over a ten year period,  speeding was the lead offender, consistently causing more traffic fatalities than driving under the influence.  Surprised? http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/crash_data_speed_960grid.html

On the other hand,  the kind of speeding that causes fatalities also can be known as careless and imprudent driving.  In Missouri, if you are caught going 25 mph over the speed limit,  you must show up in court. You may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor and possibly end up in jail.

Missouri wants to put a stop to traffic fatalities due to speeding.  The penalties for having a consistent lead foot are not pretty.  It’s not just about paying for the speeding ticket, either.  If you’re a new resident of Missouri, you need to know that you get three points on your license per speeding violation. If you were super speedy, the news gets worse — more points.

Is your car insurance company on your “gift”  list this holiday season? Your car insurance company will be happy to lighten your wallet if you accrue points for speeding, too.   More points, more money every month for them.  Those points don’t reduce down to zero for three long years  IF you are very good and don’t get any more points on your license during that time. (Watch out for those little towns and the 25 mph speed limits that sneak up on you.)

Speaking of accumulating points for moving traffic violations — you don’t want to mess with Missouri.

Why? Your right to drive — your very means of being a productive citizen — can be taken away from you for a year if you accrue 12 points in 12 months time.  Either you move to the city, take a city job, and always ride public transportation for a year, or you carpool with a compassionate friend, if you’re so lucky.

Rack up too many speeding tickets in an 18 month period and accrue 8 points on your license?  You’re in for 30 days of finding a personal chauffeur because your personal driver’s license will be suspended.

What’s on your to-do list this holiday season? Surely it’s not spending time in traffic court. So many things to do, people to see, and places to go. Even if you are the most careful of speedy drivers, a speeding ticket for breaking the absolute speed limit (posted) by more than 5 miles per hour opens the door for a possible Class C misdemeanor, depending on different factors such as construction zones.

Construction zones are one of the worst areas to speed. You could get fined up to $73 for going less than five miles above the speed limit!  Need more stress? It’s guaranteed  if you gift your loved one with your speeding ticket, no matter the size.       http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPW

Have some moving violations already? Going to traffic court to plead for a reduction in fines and points is your best bet.  Wouldn’t it make sense to bring an experienced, knowledgeable traffic lawyer with you?

When you call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC at 636-244-3737, you will get both a traffic attorney who is expert in Missouri traffic laws and a free initial consultation.  So, slow down and make that call today!

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.