I just read an article in this month's " Reader's Digest " that sleepy drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers. If that's the case, then why don't you hear law enforcement officials addressing this issue in the same way they do drunk driving? Why is there so much emphasis placed on one offense and not the other. This sort of thing is one of my major beefs with the police. Speeding is another problem that the cops almost seem to just ignore anymore. They act as though speeding isn't dangerous and doesn't require their attention. What's up with that? Why aren't they more consistent in the way they handle these things?
2007-04-20 12:12:56 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I retired from LE with 27 years of service. Sleepy and inattentive drivers are a very real threat to safety. However, there are many activities drivers engage in which also distract them to an unsafe degree. Dialing cellphones, eating, drinking fluids other than alcohol while driving, applying makeup, changing clothing, reading, etc. are every bit as dangerous. The police try very hard to enforce driving safety. However, they accomplish what time, personnel resources and funding allow. As I see it, the problem lies with driver irresponsibility and lack of concern for their own safety and of other drivers and passengers. Perhaps driver education and safety class requirements might help. I'd rather not see us have to get to that but...something has to change. I don't like it either.
2007-04-20 12:33:11 · answer #1 · answered by rico3151 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck, who knows on this one. That's probably a good idea if you can develop a law. Problems though might include- Lack of enforcement though. And besides, all people can get sleepy while on the road, because of our biological clocks. It might happen to the best of us. I'm not sure it's fair to charge someone for just one little incident like that. Espescially because of insurance, too. Remember, middle class people can't pay for that!
2007-04-20 12:21:57 · answer #2 · answered by Ironic Destiny 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably because there isn't a good test for sleepy. You can test for blood alcohol levels and other sobriety tests. You can't do a test to determine if someone is too tired to drive.
2007-04-20 12:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by Angie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't use a test to define how sleepy someone was.
I have often wondered how many bad accidents happen because people fall asleep (because of the low speed limits). Being bored makes one fall asleep!
2007-04-20 12:22:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has a lot to do with the offense, and how badly someone may have gotten hurt. While sleeping behind the wheel is bad, at least sleeping is not illegal, drinking too much is.
2007-04-20 12:19:34 · answer #5 · answered by John B 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Obviously Readers Digest doesn't know everything, and either do you. All issues are addressed.
2007-04-20 13:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your reaction time is actually worse with the flu than being drunk or tired. In Sweden, they actually made it illegal to drive with the flu.
2007-04-20 13:09:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not a crime to be a sleepy driver.
2007-04-20 14:05:15 · answer #8 · answered by Clif S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People don't choose to be sleepy, but they choose to drink.
2007-04-20 12:18:38 · answer #9 · answered by margarita 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You already asked this question under your other nick.
2007-04-20 12:30:54 · answer #10 · answered by Hootiesplace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋