Dangers of Drowsy Driving
This time of year is an important time to reflect on the danger tired drivers pose toward the public. At Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather, our legal team has helped many people injured in car accidents with drowsy drivers. These motorists are a major menace to public safety, and we appreciate all attempts to raise awareness about the danger of fatigue. If you were hurt in a wreck, call us to speak with a Boca Raton car accident lawyer about whether you can bring a claim.
How Widespread is Drowsy Driving?
The National Sleep Foundation has compiled many statistics showing just how dangerous getting behind the wheel on insufficient sleep really is, including the following:
- More than 60% of people have driven when they were so tired that they struggled to keep their eyes open.
- Although 95% of Americans think drowsy driving is risky, masses of people continue to do so anyway.
- Over 6,400 deaths in the United States are caused by drowsy driving.
These statistics are alarming. Although most of the public realizes that driving while tired is dangerous, more than 100 million people have done so.
How Risky is Drowsy Driving?
Fatigue is an obvious risk factor for an accident. Just think about how well you act and think while tired. Fatigued drivers suffer from:
- Poor judgment
- Delayed reflexes
- Slow movements
- Irritability
And, of course, a fatigued driver can nod off for a split second, which is disastrous. A driver who is asleep can travel the length of a football field in a matter of seconds, mowing down innocent pedestrians and motorists.
In fact, one drowsy driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver. Some studies have shown that missing even 1 hour of sleep at night doubles a person’s risk of getting into a crash. Missing three hours of sleep can increase a crash risk by 4. In fact, getting less than 5 hours of sleep at night is equivalent to driving drunk.
Certain drugs can increase fatigue. Alcohol and marijuana are both sedatives which only compound a lack of sleep. But even over-the-counter cough medications might cause a motorist to nod off for a split second. Add in the fact that sick people rarely sleep well at night, and you get a dangerous driver struggling to stay awake when driving into work in the morning.
Were You Injured by a Drowsy Driver?
After an accident, pay attention to how the driver acts. If he or she is yawning uncontrollably or even falls asleep while waiting for the police, then you have a good idea they were driving while fatigued.
Your attorney can begin digging for information to use in your claim. A tired driver shouldn’t get behind the wheel, even if they need to go to work or take their children to school. The public is expecting everyone to have normal use of their faculties, and fatigue prevents that.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer
We can negotiate a settlement for you after a car wreck. Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
Sources:
markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/drowsy-driving-prevention-week-2023-1032682574
cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/best-cars-blog/2016/12/drowsy-driving-worse-than-drunk-driving
