Nearly 20 % of vehicle traffic deaths involve drowsy driving

If one is driving, and feeling especially tired, pulling over somewhere and taking a snooze is a good idea. Drowsy driving is dangerous. We’ve all heard to pull over for a snooze if feeling tired behind the wheel. It’s not just an old wives’ tale. Drowsy driving was involved in almost twenty % of all fatal accidents. And it might be even more prevalent than previously thought.

Drowsy Driving can result in death

There is new info out about Drowsy Driving. The study was done by the American Automobile Association, (aka AAA). 16.5% of fatal accidents involved a rest deprived driver. In 13.1% of accidents that hospitalized someone, there was a sleepy driver behind the wheel. in 7 percent of accidents involving a required towing there was a drowsy driver. Interestingly, men were two thirds of the sleepy drivers. Sleep deprived drivers in accidents were twice as likely to be 16 to 24 years old than drivers 40 to 59 years old. Of all the accidents documents in this study, 57% were from a sleep deprived driver driving off the road altogether or drifting through lanes.

Sleepless in Seattle… well really in all of America

Americans are getting less sleep than ever as outlined by numerous studies. The typical recommendation is that people sleep 8-hours a night and on average most rest 7 or less. New Zealand conducted a study on drowsy driving in 2000. As outlined by CNN the study showed that a sleepy driver was a dangerous as a driver who is drunk. Regardless of that study, drunk driving still causes more fatalities than drowsy driving does drowsy driving still does not cause as numerous traffic fatalities as drunk driving does. That said, it is still a risk to traffic safety a person should not take.

Play it safe

Carpooling can reduce the risk by 50% according to AAA. Driving drowsy isn't worth it, just pull over and rest or get caffeine in case you are tired. Also, get at least 8 hours of rest before any long trip.

Articles cited

AAA Foundation

aaafoundation.org/multimedia/index.cfm?button=pressreleases

CNN

archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/09/20/sleep.deprivation/