Drowsy Driving: More Dangerous Than You Think
Everyone knows the dangers of driving under the influence, but what about drowsy driving? In today’s fast-paced world, only a lucky few get as much sleep as they need. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around one-third of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep every night. Drowsy driving, then, is an inevitable outcome for many of us on the road. Many people do not realize how serious this problem is. For example, did you know that sleep deprivation can have the same effects on your body as drinking alcohol? The National Sleep Foundation estimates that being awake for 18 consecutive hours will make you drive as though you have a blood alcohol level of 0.05. In this blog post, we will give a brief overview of the dangers of “driving while drowsy.”
Drowsy Driving Statistics
Estimating the exact number of drowsy driving accidents is difficult, as the phenomenon is an underreported one. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many drivers are not willing to admit to being fatigued at the time of their accident. Still, the numbers we have are shocking enough. A 2016 Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report found that an average of 328,000 drowsy driving accidents occurs on U.S. roadways each year. These car accidents led to an estimated 109,000 injury-related accidents and 6,400 fatalities. Half of the involved individuals were 25 years of age or younger. Though drowsy driving can happen during any time of day, it tends to happen more frequently between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., due to the human body’s internal clock. Truck and bus drivers are especially at risk for drowsy driving accidents due to their odd work hours.
Preventing Drowsy Driving
There is only one surefire method of preventing drowsy driving: Keep yourself well-rested. Make sure you are regularly getting an adequate amount of sleep. For most people, this is seven 
to eight hours per night. Teenagers may require more sleep than adults, however, due to their changing biological needs. Pull over and rest if you feel tired, especially when you are going to take a longer drive. Try to avoid driving during peak sleepiness periods (12 a.m. to 6 a.m.) whenever possible. If you cannot avoid driving during those hours, then you should stay extra vigilant for any signs of drowsiness (such as crossing over roadway lines). Drink a few cups of coffee if necessary, and take a brief 20-minute nap if possible. However, be warned that caffeine is not always enough. Seriously sleep-deprived drivers may still experience “microsleeps” behind the wheel.
Seeking Legal Help
Were you or a loved one recently injured in a car accident? We at Gattuso & Ciottoli, PLLC may be able to help. Contact us today at (315) 314-8000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced New York car accident attorneys. We draw on over 50 years of combined legal experience to serve personal injury victims as best we can. We proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn.