We’ve seen plenty of PSAs regarding the dangers of drunk driving and distracted driving. However, one roadway hazard that isn’t mentioned enough is the danger of drowsy driving.
We seem to live in a nation of chronically sleep-deprived individuals, and they’re risking the lives of themselves and others every time they get behind the wheel.
What do highway statistics tell us?
It may be difficult to know the actual number. Still, according to one study, it’s estimated that there are about 328,000 accidents annually that can be attributed to drowsy driving, with 6,4000 of them being fatal and 109,000 resulting in some injury.
Fatigue has a similar effect on the brain as alcohol. Eighteen hours without sleep is like having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. That increases the longer you are awake; at 24 hours, it’s comparable to getting behind the wheel with a BAC of 0.10%. Your reaction time slows, and your judgment is impaired.
As your brain struggles to stay alert, you may experience micro-sleeps, those brief moments when you nod off without even realizing it. Traveling at highway speed, your vehicle could go the length of a football field before you jerk yourself awake.
There are some warning signs that you may be too tired to drive, such as:
- Frequent yawning
- Drifting into other lanes or onto the berm
- Missing exits or traffic signs
- Losing focus and not remembering the last few miles you drove
When those signs occur, it should be a warning that you need to pull over and rest. Find a safe area and take a quick nap.
Fatigued driving puts everyone’s lives at risk. If you’ve been in an accident and you believe lack of sleep was a factor, it’s important to work with someone who can research your claim and help you seek compensation for your injuries.
