Drowsy Driving Is as Dangerous as Drunk Driving

Campaigns against drunk driving have been part of the conversation around American driving habits for decades. More recently, we’ve gained a greater understanding of the risks around texting and driving. But what about driving while drowsy?

Unfortunately, drowsy driving is also a large contributor to traffic injuries and fatalities—and since it’s not as widely publicized, fewer people are fully aware of the level of risk it presents. Here are some facts and statistics related to drowsy driving that will likely make you think twice about getting behind the wheel when you’re feeling tired:

• The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsiness was a factor in as much as 9.5 percent of vehicle crashes.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 25 drivers have fallen asleep behind the wheel in the past month.
• According to the National Safety Council, driving after having been awake for 20 hours is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, which is the legal limit.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 633 people were killed in drowsy driving accidents in 2020.

Drowsiness presents a serious hazard on the road for a number of reasons. When a driver is struggling to remain awake and alert, it takes their focus off the road and leads to seriously delayed reaction times. This makes it harder to navigate curves in the road, react to the movements of other vehicles, respond to animals, pedestrians or hazards on the road and judge changes in speed and distance. Factor in nighttime conditions, and it’s easy to see how drowsy driving poses such a risk.

If you’ve been injured in a drowsy driving auto accident and believe the other driver’s negligence was a contributing factor, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact the attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP to set up a consultation and discuss the specifics of your case.