Tag Archives: lack of sleep

General Safety Issues

Four Ways to Avoid Being Pulled Over for Mistaken DUI (Guest Post)

The recent popularity of controlled substances and the use of legally prescribed medications have prompted all police departments to be conscience of the possibility of impaired operators, regardless of the presence of alcohol. In addition, contemporary vehicles are engineered for excellent performance and exceeding the speed limit is easy in any driving zone. Conversely, many vehicles experience regular maintenance problems that can go unrecognized and instigate a traffic stop. Secondary offenses are not legally sufficient to warrant action by the officer unless a primary driving offense has occurred, but always remember that the officer is an officer of the court and his testimony will have a significant bearing on the case. Officer observances carry considerable latitude, even though those charged with a mistaken DUI can be acquitted with the help of a proper defense. 

Follow All Traffic Regulations
Failure to comply with vehicle operation statutes is one of the first indicators to an officer that a motorist is intoxicated. Maintaining the proper traffic lane is the most basic of rules and can create officer attention immediately. Using turn signals is also important, along with using them in the appropriate distance before turning or changing lanes. Turn signals should be in indication mode at least 100 feet from the intersection. Avoiding congested traffic can also be a good defense against being questioned concerning intoxication because combative drivers can create dangerous situations and alert defensive drivers often need to be creative to avoid a collision. Patrolmen can be included in the congested traffic and easily stop the wrong driver. Additionally, never operate an automobile without engaging the seat belts. Many states have enhanced seat belt laws to a primary driving offense and it is sufficient to warrant stopping a motorist. 

Lack of Proper Sleep 

Perhaps one of the most dangerous ways to drive, other than being drunk or under the influence of certain medications, is to drive tired.  Lack of rest can severely influence how you’re able to handle the road; your alertness, ability to read signs and process important information, and keep your eyes on the road are all at the mercy of a good night’s rest.   

Defective Vehicle Equipment

The intensified scrutiny of motorists has also initiated a focus on proper vehicle equipment. All turn signals should be in proper operating condition, including brake lights and backup lights. The most obscure problem in vehicle operation is probably the light above the license plate, which is required on both the front and back in some states. Additionally, improper use of the high beam headlights can result in a traffic stop. The headlights are the most important safety component of an operational vehicle. Attempting to drive a vehicle is a state of disrepair can result in an intoxicated driving investigation by default. 

Legal Medications
Just because a doctor prescribes medication for an individual does not give them the authority to take the medication and drive, even under prescribed instructions. Never operate a vehicle under the influence of intoxicants, even if they are legal for the driver. It is legal to possess them when they are in the proper container, but it is important for the operator to make sure that they are, and that they are in the proper amounts. In the event you are charged with driving under the influence of legal medications, your container and prescribed doses will be pertinent pieces of information — whether you’re using a Los Angeles or Orlando Criminal Team DUI defense.
The single most important component of driving in avoidance of a traffic stop is simple. Always drive in a defensive manner and observe the speed limit. Prepare the vehicle for a clean traffic stop. Individuals that are taken to a medical facility and are under the influence of a prescribed drug may have a good case to present to the court, especially with solid, experienced and effective counsel. Many medications have half-life potency and this fact can be presented in court as a reason for any positive testing for a legal prescription because intoxication levels are difficult to detect with many legal medications. 


Saam Banai is a freelance writer, editor, and fighter for focused driving. The driver who’s experiencing false charges for drunk driving would be best suited calling a firm like Katz & Phillips P.A., which provides experienced DUI defense. Don’t take a chance in losing your license. Place your trust in an experienced lawyer who knows DUI law inside and out and can protect your rights so you can keep on driving.

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

Five Ways Technology is Messing Up Our Sleep (Guest Post)

Sent to us by Hannah Howard –

We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is important, but just how important is it? Well, according to Dr. David F. Dinges of the Division of Sleep and Chronobiology and Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the first signs of lack of sleep are irritability and moodiness. If the person continues to not get enough rest, they will eventually start to experience apathy, slowed speech and flattened emotional responses, impaired memory, and an inability to be novel or to multitask. If you still do not take notice and get some shut eye, then what comes next can be physically disastrous. As you near the point of falling asleep on your feet, you will experience micro-sleeps of approximately 5 to 10 seconds. Those seconds mean that you can nod off while driving or doing other dangerous activities and drastically increase the risk of getting into an accident and harming yourself or another person.
At this point, you might be wondering what the correlation is between a lack of sleep and technology. Did you know that staring at a brightly lit screen or performing vigorous mental or physical activities an hour before trying to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or enter REM sleep, which is the kind of deep sleep that your body needs? Also, your body needs uninterrupted sleep to be fully rested and refreshed. Recently, a poll taken by the National Sleep Foundation found the following uses of technology that can impact sleep:
1. Television

Watching television an hour or less before bedtime means that not only are you staring at a brightly lit screen, but chances are you are watching something that gets your adrenaline pumping, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Here are the people guilty of this:

  • 67% of Baby Boomers (age 46-64)
  • 63% of Generation X (age 30-45)
  • 49% of Generation Y (age 19-29)
  • 50% Generation Z (age 13-18)

2. Computer

Playing games, reading emails, and even doing work on your laptop, desktop, or iPad is a recipe for sleeplessness. If you have to read on your electronic device then try turning the screen down as low as possible to reduce backlight exposure. Darkness signals to your brain that it is time to wind down.

  • 61% of people use a computer an hour before bed at least a few nights a week
  • 47% of Generation Y and 55% of Generation Z use the computer every night

3. Video Games

Playing a video game is a great way to have fun, but not such a great way to get a good night’s sleep. Who plays games just before bed? You might be surprised:

  • 12% of Baby Boomers
  • 15% of Generation X
  • 36% of Generation Y

4. Cell Phone

We all love to text our friends and family good night, but doing so right before bed time means more time spent staring at a tiny, glowing screen. Who is guilty of this sleep faux pas?

  • Only 5% of Baby Boomers
  • 15% of Generation X
  • 42% of Generation Y
  • 56% of Generation Z

5. Waked Up

Like I said before, getting a full night’s rest without interruption is the key to waking up rested and refreshed. However, many of us are waked up several times a week by phone calls, texts, email, or notifications. I think it is time to put the phone on silent for these groups:

  • 20% of Generation Y and 18% of Generation Z are waked at least a few nights a week

These statistics shed new light on our sleeping and technology habits. What bad habits are you guilty of that mess with your sleep? Are you getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep every night, uninterrupted? What can you change to help your body get the sleep it needs?

Thank you, Hannah, for pointing out many of the ways that we could simplify our lives and get our needed rest by following your advice. Pat