A recent tragic accident in Cobb County underscores the dangers of driving while drowsy. In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 5, 2020, a driver fell asleep while behind the wheel and crossed into the oncoming lane, colliding head-on with another vehicle and killing its driver.

Cobb County Police

According to Cobb County Police, Shakim Holloman was traveling south on Dallas-Acworth Highway when he fell asleep behind the wheel. His car entered the northbound lane and hit Daniel Rogers' car head-on, killing Rogers. Holloman and a passenger in his car were unhurt in the collision. Both Holloman and Rogers are in their early 20s, and now one young man is dead and the other is facing serious repercussions for his decision to drive while drowsy.

Georgia Law

Police have charged Holloman with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane, and suspended registration. Homicide by vehicle in the first degree is a felony in Georgia, according to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-393. It means that someone, without malice or forethought, causes the death of another person by causing an accident in a motor vehicle. If convicted, Holloman could be spending three to fifteen years in prison.

Drowsy Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration simply states that drowsy driving kills. In 2017, 795 people in the United States were killed by other drivers who fell asleep behind the wheel. And on average, young males are more likely to be involved in drowsy driving accidents.

Drowsy driving is almost as dangerous as driving while intoxicated—both are considered to be impaired driving. In fact, the National Safety Council says that if you are driving after going 20 hours or more without sleep, it's the equivalent of driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent. If you are exhausted and behind the wheel of a car, you are not only risking your own life but the lives of others out on the road.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is totally preventable. The first thing you can do to prevent drowsy driving is to make sure you get plenty of sleep before getting in your car. If you are driving and find yourself nodding off, pull over to somewhere safe and either drink a cup or two of coffee or take a brief nap. Medications can also cause drowsy driving, so make sure you know how your prescription or over-the-counter medications affect your system before you drive.

The Hadden Law Firm

If you or a loved one were involved in an accident that was caused by someone else's negligent decision to drive while drowsy, you deserve compensation for all you have been through. You deserve the experienced legal representation of The Hadden Law Firm. John Hadden used to work as an insurance defense lawyer, but now he devotes his time to representing victims of negligence and wrongdoing. Call The Hadden Law firm at 404-939-4525 or fill out a contact form to get started on your case today.