Have you ever been driving and suddenly realized that you don’t remember the last stretch of road that you traversed? If so, then you’ve probably experienced highway hypnosis. This is a common phenomenon where a driver disassociates from their surroundings, meaning they have no awareness of what’s going on around them.
It can be extremely dangerous, too, since a driver who loses their attention can miss road signs, traffic signals, and hazardous conditions. That’s why those who experience highway hypnosis are at an increased risk of being involved in a serious car accident.
Who is susceptible to highway hypnosis?
Anyone can experience highway hypnosis. However, there are certain groups of people who may be more sensitive to it. This includes:
- Semi-truck drivers who spend extensive amounts of time behind the wheel each day.
- Individuals who take to the road in a tired or fatigued state.
- Individuals who drive late at night on account of their work shift, which may create irregular sleep patterns and lead to fatigued driving.
- Inexperienced drivers who may not have the skills necessary to maintain attention.
- Drivers who are experiencing stress in their lives and whose mind can wander.
- Drivers who are easily distracted.
Can highway hypnosis be prevented?
Yes. Getting plenty of rest and taking periodic breaks from driving can help significantly. It can also be beneficial to have someone else in the vehicle with you to help you stay alert and focused on the road. If you’re tired, pull over and get some rest. It’s better to delay your travels than to risk causing a serious accident.
If you’ve been hurt by another driver’s negligence, regardless of how that negligence comes about, then you should consider taking legal action. Doing so may be the only way to find accountability and recover the compensation you need to offset your damages.
If that’s something you want to learn more about, then we encourage you to read up on the personal injury legal process, which you can find more about throughout our website.
