If you become tired behind the wheel, it is crucial to focus on road safety and make sure that you are fit to drive. In addition, you should watch out for fatigue that could interfere with your ability to operate a vehicle safely before you take to the road. Sadly, some drivers ignore the risks associated with drowsy driving, which endangers lives.
Drowsy drivers are particularly dangerous on the road. In fact, dozing off for a few seconds can result in a devastating crash. It is very important for drivers to review statistics on drowsy driving accidents in order to understand the scope of this problem.
Deaths and injuries due to drowsy driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that based on data from 2017, an estimated 50,000 people sustained injuries in drowsy driving collisions. Over the course of 2017, an estimated 91,000 drowsy driving accidents occurred, leading to almost 800 fatalities. Additionally, the CDC reports that data on drowsy driving accidents underestimates the true number of victims involved in these collisions. The CDC notes that drowsy drivers could cause as many as 6,000 deadly accidents per year.
Drowsy driving risk factors
Drivers become drowsy for different reasons. In some instances, sleep disorders lead to repeated instances of drowsy driving, and even a one-off night of poor sleep can cause a drowsy driving crash. Medication can make drivers drowsy, as well as working extended shifts and very late at night. Spending a lot of time on the road can lead to driver fatigue, and this affects many commercial vehicle drivers.
When drowsiness causes an accident, this is inexcusable, and you need to hold a negligent driver accountable if you are trying to recover from a crash.