Drowsy driving is a significant problem in the United States. Recent studies have shown that many people are routinely sleep-deprived and still drive.
If the average person is asked what the worst dangers are that pose a threat to people on the roads today, he or she might say road rage, texting behind the wheel or drunk driving. These dangers are certainly a significant threat to motorists in Georgia and elsewhere. However, there is another driving hazard that often receives less attention than it should, but it can be just as deadly as the others.
Studies shine light on drowsy driving problem
About 5,000 people are killed in the United States every year as a result of drowsy driving, states the Governors Highway Safety Association. Thousands more are injured in motor vehicle collisions due to drowsy drivers.
However, most people may not realize the sheer scope of the problem. In a recent report released by State Farm Insurance and the GHSA, it was revealed that about 84 million people in the country regularly drive sleep-deprived. About 34 percent of people in the country sleep less than seven hours a day, which results in a large portion of the population driving when they probably should not be behind the wheel. According to a 2015 survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 31.5 percent of respondents said they had difficulties keeping their eyes open while driving at some point during the previous month. 43.2 percent of those polled admitted they had fallen asleep at the wheel at least once.
A recent tragedy in Claxton last June highlighted the dangers of drowsy driving. According to WRBL.com, a vehicle carrying three co-workers returning at night from a job struck a vehicle in the opposite lane. The mother of one of the passengers said that her son had been on the phone with her before the accident and expressed worry that the driver was falling asleep behind the wheel. Five people were killed in the crash, including the woman’s son.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some people are more likely than others to chronically drive sleep-deprived. These include the following:
- People who work late shifts or throughout the night
- Commercial drivers, particularly truck drivers
- Those who regularly get inadequate sleep
- People who use medications that cause sleepiness
- Those with sleep disorders that are undiagnosed or untreated
During a trip, it may be possible to prevent a drowsy driving accident by stopping every couple of hours or 100 miles for a break. Drinking coffee may help for a short while, but should not be substituted for a good night’s rest before the trip. It may be the safest idea to pull over in a safe place for a nap at the first signs of drowsiness or nodding off behind the wheel.
Those who were hurt by a drowsy or negligent driver may be eligible for compensation. It may help to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in Atlanta. Call Neuberger Law, LLC at (678) 766-1700 to discuss your options with an experienced attorney.