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The Hidden Dangers of Drowsy Thanksgiving Driving FULL PLATES, HEAVY EYES
MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The aromas from the kitchen, the familiar chatter of family and friends, and the overflowing plates of food are all incredible. But there’s also a side of Thanksgiving we don’t talk about as much: the exhaustion that sets in after the feast, and the real risks of getting behind the wheel when your body is begging for rest.
The trouble starts when that food-induced drowsiness carries over to the moment you decide to hit the road. Underestimating Effects of Drowsy Driving Because I represent people injured by negligent drivers, I see the wreckage of what happens when drivers misjudge how alert they really are. Drowsy driving is more dangerous than many believe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2017 alone, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers, causing 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths. In 2022, about 2.1% of fatal crashes were attributed to drivers who were drowsy, asleep, fatigued, or blacked out. Other reports say 693 people die every year from drowsy driving, and roughly 6 in 10 adults admit they have driven while drowsy at some point. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2023 survey, about 60% of adult drivers say they’ve ever driven while drowsy. Here’s a frightening equivalence: Driving with less than five hours of sleep is comparable to driving drunk. That means your judgment, reaction time, and attention are dangerously lowered. Another subtle but deadly risk is microsleep , those half-second lapses where you “woke up” and suddenly realize several seconds have passed without control. In crash reports, these microscopic seconds often make the difference between life and death. So, after Thanksgiving dinner wraps up at 6 or 7 p.m., and you think, “I’m fine, just a short drive home,” think again. This could end in disaster after overeating, carb overload, maybe a cocktail, plus fatigue from an early morning.
Malloy Monthly
'Turkey Coma': Myth or Warning Sign?
Let’s start where most people begin: blaming the turkey. We’ve all heard that after a big Thanksgiving dinner involving turkey, we feel ready to nap. The reasoning is that turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which your body converts into serotonin and then melatonin, triggering sleepiness. But here’s where it gets interesting: that idea is largely a myth. In fact, 3 ounces of turkey breast delivers only about 180–244 milligrams of tryptophan, much less than in over- the-counter sleep aids. To match a typical 5-gram (5,000 milligram) therapeutic dose of tryptophan, you’d need to eat over 8 pounds of turkey in one sitting. That’s nearly impossible to accomplish at the Thanksgiving dinner table! More realistically, what pushes you to drowsiness is the volume of food, carbs, sugars, fat, and sometimes alcohol. Those cause insulin and hormonal shifts, making your body more susceptible to fatigue. In short, you’re not nodding off because of turkey alone. You’re nodding off because your body is overloaded.
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seasons offer a refreshing and grounding change of scenery. A short walk outdoors allows you to unplug and take in the subtle beauty that’s easy to miss when you’re rushing from one indoor task to the next. The science of seasonal movement is real. Cooler air does more than wake you up. It makes your body work harder to stay warm, thus increasing the calorie burn of even a casual stroll. That quick burst of movement in the cold can also boost circulation, improve energy levels, and clear mental fog, especially if you’ve been sitting at a desk for most of the day. Create a cozy routine you look forward to. One of the best ways to stay consistent during these cooler months is to make your walk enjoyable. Layer up in comfortable gear, choose a playlist or podcast you love, and set a daily reminder to step outside. Whether it’s 10 minutes around the block or a long weekend loop, consistency matters more than intensity. Make it social, rewarding, or both. If you aren’t feeling motivated solo, ask a friend or neighbor to join you a few times a week. If you prefer going alone, add a small reward: a stop for a warm drink, or the satisfaction of checking it off your daily goals list. These little incentives can make your walk something to look forward to.
Less Scrolling, More Strolling
THE CASE FOR A DAILY WALK
As the temperatures dip and daylight starts to dwindle sooner in the evenings, staying active often falls to the bottom of the priority list. It’s easy to settle into the routine of indoor comfort with more screens and less movement. However, carving out time for a daily walk, even in the chillier months, is a simple and effective way to stay physically and mentally sharp. Fall and winter are nature’s underrated workout months. There’s something calming about a quiet sidewalk covered in fall leaves or a peaceful neighborhood dusted with frost. The colder
Crowds, Cars, and Chaos BLACK FRIDAY SAFETY TIPS
While Black Friday is a great opportunity to snag deals, it can also be stressful and risky if you’re not careful. From navigating packed stores to managing traffic on the way, taking a few simple precautions can make the day smoother and safer for everyone. Crowded Mall Tips During the holiday season, shopping malls get so crowded that the excitement can sometimes lead to accidents. First, plan your shopping route. Know which stores you want to hit and when they open to avoid unnecessary backtracking. Arrive early to beat the largest crowds, but don’t let the rush cloud your judgment. Stay aware of your surroundings. Crowds can push and jostle, so keep your belongings secure and avoid carrying too much at once. Comfortable shoes are a
must because you’ll likely be on your feet for hours. If lines form, be patient and keep a safe distance from others, especially in tight spaces. For families, establish a meeting point in case someone gets separated. Smart Parking Strategies Parking lots can become chaotic during peak hours. Choose well-lit, populated areas and note where you park to avoid confusion. Always lock your car and hide shopping bags until you’re ready to leave. Walking cautiously between vehicles is important as drivers may be focused on finding a spot and not notice pedestrians.
drivers increase the risk of accidents. Plan your route and allow extra travel time. Avoid aggressive driving, and stay alert for pedestrians darting between cars. If possible, carpooling or using public transportation can reduce stress and the risk of parking lot mishaps. Never text while driving, and keep an eye on changing traffic patterns. Early mornings or late evenings tend to have lighter traffic, so timing your trips strategically can make a big difference.
For more information on Black Friday injury and safety tips, scan the QR code. Happy shopping!
Road Safety Tips Black Friday is just as tough on shoppers as it is on drivers. Roads leading to shopping centers are often congested, and impatient
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FILL YOUR HOLIDAY WITH GRATITUDE AND GAMES The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out some time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you're thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. Turkey Day Trivia There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show. Whisking Up New Traditions This Thanksgiving
A Soundtrack to the Stuffing Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years,
Gather for Gratitude Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they're grateful for.
turning the songs into a playable family history.
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My Advice From a Legal Standpoint Here’s what I tell clients and would-be drivers to always do, especially around Thanksgiving. Wait before driving. Give your body time to digest. If you feel that heavy “food sleep” creeping in, don’t drive. Wait until you’re alert.
Limit portions and pace yourself. Don’t overload. Eat deliberately, take breaks, hydrate with water, and limit alcohol. Get rest beforehand. If you know you’ll be driving post-meal, start with a good rest. Don’t rob yourself of sleep the night before. Use a travel “buddy.” If possible, get someone else to drive or ride with you who can take over if you slip. Plan routes with breaks. If it’s a long drive, schedule rest stops. Stretch, walk, and consume caffeine wisely (but don’t rely entirely on it). Watch for warning signs. If you’re yawning, drifting lanes, spacing out, or missing your exit, that’s your body telling you it’s time to stop. Don’t mix fatigue and distractions. Thanksgiving often involves family calls, texting, and checking navigation, which all amplify the risk.
Educate your loved ones. Remind family and friends that pushing through fatigue is not heroic; it’s lethal. When I stand in court representing someone whose life was changed by a drowsy driver, I don’t just argue liability. I argue for awareness and responsibility. On a holiday like Thanksgiving, the last thing anyone should ever say is, “I didn’t realize how sleepy I was.” We all know how full we are. We all know when we’re nodding off, yet too many take the wheel anyway. So, this Thanksgiving, feast and enjoy time with your family. But when dinner ends and the drive begins, remember that your safety, and others' depend on your decision whether or not to drive. Don’t let a “food coma” or post-meal drowsiness become someone’s tragic case file.
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Inside This Issue
1
The Truth About Turkey Coma
2
Bundle Up and Step Out
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Avoid Black Friday Mishaps With These Safety Tips
3
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia
4
Fun Holiday Events Coming Your Way!
Ready for an Eventful Holiday Season? ADD THESE MUST-DOS TO YOUR CALENDAR
Holiday Ice Skating Whether it’s The Wharf or Pentagon Row, outdoor ice rinks across the DMV area turn skating into a holiday must-do. Performances and Concerts Local acts are fun this time of year! Catch "The Nutcracker," "A Christmas Carol," or family concerts at the Kennedy Center and Ford’s Theatre. For something extra magical, the National Cathedral’s December concerts are a wonderful experience.
The holiday season in the DMV always offers a full calendar of things to do with kids, from big city traditions to smaller neighborhood activities. Whether your family is into light displays, ice skating, or holiday shows, there’s no shortage of ways to make the holidays special. Here’s a roundup of things to look forward to in the next few weeks. Late Fall Features Farm Fun Before Winter Sets In Kick off the season with harvest festivals, hayrides, and apple picking at places like Butler’s Orchard in Maryland. Even in November, you’ll find corn mazes and cozy farm attractions open for weekend adventures. ZooLights and Holiday Markets The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has a dazzling ZooLights display. It’s a favorite
for locals and begins Friday, Nov. 21. Downtown DC’s Holiday Market is another tradition that opens that same day. It’s a great place to grab a hot chocolate, shop for handmade gifts, and let kids soak in the festive activities. Trains and Drive-Through Lights The B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore hosts kid-friendly holiday train rides, and parks around Northern Virginia and Maryland host spectacular drive-through light shows that make for easy family outings on chilly nights.
December Magic Classic DC Traditions
Neighborhood Lights Explore the Miracle on 34th Street in
Don’t miss the National Christmas Tree by the White House or the Capitol Tree on the West Lawn! Both glow nightly all season and are worth a family stroll.
Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood, wander through Brookside Gardens’ Garden of Lights in Wheaton, or visit the Festival of Lights at the Washington, D.C., Temple in Kensington.
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