OK so we have DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWY (”Driving While Young” — a series on Good Morning America last week about younger drivers)but now we have to have a new designation: DWS — Driving While Sleeping
It was revealed this week that the sleep medication Ambien® produces an interesting side-effect in some people. It seems that some who take this medication to help them sleep, also wake up in the middle of the night, get dressed, and eat and/or leave the house and drive while they are still asleep. One woman reports waking up in her office chair, completely dressed for work. She claims to have no recollection of waking up, getting showered and dressed, or driving to work! So now do we look at the drivers on the LIE or Grand Central at 7am and wonder if they are all awake? Do these people have a defense for causing an accident? Do we convict someone of DWS? Can we all go out there and get scrips for Ambien® so that now we have a handy excuse? “Sorry officer I was asleep. You see, must be the Ambien®…” hmmm…

Related posts:

1. Metblogs NYC Advent Calendar. (Day 25)
2. Falling asleep on stranger’s shoulders
3. Call Me!
4. Best Driving Time
5. Early to rise