Drowsy driving is one of the major causes of serious car accidents in the United States. It’s estimated that drowsy driving causes 21% of fatal accidents every year, and billions in medical costs and property damage.
Drowsy driving has actually been equated to drunk driving in terms of the effects of fatigue on a driver’s hand-eye coordination, judgment, reaction times and more – yet, drowsy drivers continue to get behind the wheel. In fact, roughly 27% of drivers surveyed admit that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel of their cars within the last month.
Why do they take the chance? It’s because sleep deprivation has become the norm, and many people feel like they have no choice in the matter.
Long hours, poor sleep habits and lots of caffeine can be a problem
It’s commonly recognized that a lot of people are simply “running on fumes” in their daily lives. They have hectic schedules, work odd or extra shifts and have errands that still have to be handled when they’re off work. That doesn’t lead to a lot of time for sleep.
Plus, many people rely on energy drinks, coffee, tea and soda to get through the day – and all that extra caffeine can actually cause them to have more trouble sleeping when they do have a chance. Poor sleep quality is a huge factor in drowsy driving.
Finally, drowsy driving isn’t stigmatized like drunk driving. Only two states have laws that specifically address drowsy driving as an offense, and only five restrict the licenses of those with untreated sleep disorders – whereas all states have laws against drunk driving.
If you are injured by a drowsy driver, find out more about your legal options to hold them accountable for their actions and recoup your losses.