A Wake-Up Call: Drowsy Driving Can Be Deadly

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Fatigued Driver

An alarming new study shows that drowsy drivers are four times more likely to get into a car accident than their well-rested counterparts. The research conducted by AAA found that missing just two or three hours of sleep quadruples the risk of getting into a car accident when compared to drivers who get at least seven hours of sleep. This means that one night of bad sleep can jeopardize the safety of the driver and everyone else on the road.

Drowsy Driving vs. Drunk Driving

Many car safety advocates believe that driving drowsy is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Driving with either impairment can mean that the driver will:

• Be inattentive;
• Use poor judgment;
• Have slower mental processing; and
• Display poorer reflexes.

Drowsy Driving Is a Prevalent Problem

According to the AAA study, 96 percent of people surveyed said they found drowsy driving unacceptable. Yet, in a different study, 60 percent of adult drivers report feeling drowsy while driving in the past year. In addition, 37 percent drivers admit to falling asleep while driving in the last year; 13 percent in the last month. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year about 100,000 crashes are caused by drowsy driving. These crashes cause an estimated 1,550 deaths and leave 71,000 people with injuries. Shift workers and parents with small children are especially prone to driver fatigue. Drivers who often drive for longer hours on highways and interstates are also more likely to fall asleep. How to Determine If Someone Fell Asleep at the Wheel Accident investigators look for several signs that fatigue is to blame. First, investigators rule out that drugs or alcohol are to blame by conducting blood work or breathalyzer tests. Next, investigators will talk to witnesses to determine what transpired before the accident. A car’s movements such as crossing over medians or neutral ground could be a sign that someone fell asleep at the wheel. Finally, the existence of skid marks - which indicate that the driver was awake and attempted to stop - will be looked for at the accident site.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Attorney

If you have been in a car accident caused by a driver who was inattentive, you may be entitled to damages. Because of the immense danger drowsy driving poses, courts and juries handle these cases seriously and often want to make accident victims whole again. Contact the skilled Lake County auto accident attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule your consultation about your case.

Sources:

https://www.aaafoundation.org/acute-sleep-deprivation-and-crash-risk

http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/