The Real Dangers of Drowsy Driving

You have likely heard about the dangers of drinking and driving or even using your phone while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, the same attention is not given to drowsy driving, which is just as dangerous (or more dangerous) than drinking and driving and distracted driving.

According to the AAA, drowsy driving contributes to almost 10% of all accidents. If you are hit by a drowsy driver, you can find out more about drowsy driving and your rights in this blog.

Common causes of drowsy driving

Usually, drowsy driving accidents occur between midnight and 6 AM. They can also occur later in the afternoon when the body regulates sleep. These accidents tend to involve just one person who runs off the road, and they are more common on rural roads and highways than in other locations.

Drowsy driving defined

Also called tired driving or driver fatigue, drowsy driving occurs when someone drives while feeling sleepy or fatigued. Many factors can lead to drowsy driving including stress at work, young children keeping people up, medication, or even a sleep disorder.

When someone drives while drowsy, they experience delayed reaction times, the inability to focus, poor judgment and the inability to judge speeds and distances. They can also fall asleep while behind the wheel.