The National Sleep Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control warn that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.
The National Sleep Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control warn that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Driving after being awake longer than 24 hours is the same as driving with a blood alcohol content higher than the national limit. Despite the dangers, a disturbingly large amount of people still get behind the wheel fatigued. 60 percent of Americans in a study admitted to having driven while sleepy at least once during the past year, while 37 percent admitted to having actually fallen asleep while driving.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported 3,109 crashes causing injury and 48 fatal crashes due to drowsy driving in Knox County last year. With the risk of permanently changing the lives of another family, as well as facing legal action, it’s disheartening to think that so many people still risk driving while being too tired to safely do so.
Drowsy drivers can also face criminal charges. Last May, a man in Sevier County fell asleep behind the wheel and drifted into the other lane, before waking up and attempting to avoid an accident, said ABC 6. He collided with an oncoming vehicle, injuring the other driver as well as two teenagers in his own car. He received charges for failure to maintain lane, financial responsibility, due care and a child restraint violation.
Volunteers find out how difficult it is to drive while extremely tired
Last August, several Utah volunteers stayed awake for 30 hours to see what it’s like to drive fatigued, according to Deseret News. After driving in a controlled environment, the sleepy drivers reported feeling less responsive as well as difficulty concentrating and reacting to instructions. Many of them repeatedly ran over traffic cones, signifying property damage or injured people.
It’s crucial to pull over immediately if any of these warning signs of drowsiness are noticed:
– Difficulty focusing, and feeling irritable
– Blinking, yawning and heavy eyelids
– Missing turnoffs or signs
– Head “nodding off”
– Drifting out of the lane or hitting the rumble strip
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration warns that most of the alertness tricks said to help drivers stay awake are ineffective. Rather than rely on caffeine or blasting cold air through the window, drivers should get enough sleep before beginning a trip. Upon feeling drowsy, it can help to pull over at a rest stop and take a nap.
Getting help from an attorney
No matter how careful you are while driving, you may likely be sharing the road with negligent or fatigued drivers. If you’ve been in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, you may be eligible for the compensation of your medical expenses. It’s important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away to find out about your rights.
