Holidays are a time for family gatherings and delicious feasts. It is also a time for increased patrols and higher numbers of traffic citations. Alcohol is not the only culprit blamed for violations on Thanksgiving.
Many people cite turkey, more specifically the tryptophan in the bird, as the reason for drowsy driving. Is turkey really to blame? Or, is there another reason you get that sleepy feeling?
LiveSicence.com recently published an article exposing the truth behind Thanksgiving-related drowsiness. You might be surprised to learn that it isn’t the turkey. More accurately, it isn’t the turkey alone.
What else contributes to that drowsy feeling?
- Tryptophan: Yes, turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan. So do other foods, like cheddar cheese. In fact, it contains higher levels of tryptophan than your poultry.
- Over-consumption: People tend to eat more than usual on holidays. Your body simply needs energy to digest it all.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol can make you sleepy, especially when combined with a large meal.
- Stress: Family gatherings are fun, but often exhausting. Preparing the food and handling the excitement or disputes that arise can be taxing.
As you plan for your holiday events, keep in mind that patrol officers will be on the roads in Denver. Drowsiness affects your driving. You may nod your head a bit, swerve across or too close to the center line and get pulled over. You could end up with a careless driving ticket, or worse, DUI charges if you had an alcoholic drink or two.
Should you find yourself holding a traffic citation this Thanksgiving, don’t pay the fine. You plead guilty and automatically accept the consequences when you pay the fine. You can challenge the ticket, and an attorney can help you determine the best course of action.