On the road, you could find yourself involved in a motor vehicle collision for a host of reasons. It is important to review various traffic crash risk factors, such as drowsy driving. Every year, many crashes occur as a result of driver fatigue, and there are a number of different concerns when it comes to drowsiness behind the wheel.
Whether a driver falls asleep on the road or cannot stay alert while driving, drowsiness is very dangerous.
Understanding drowsy driving risk factors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights some of the reasons why drowsy driving is so prevalent. For starters, drivers who do not get enough sleep and those who drive for long periods of time (such as truckers and bus drivers) are especially likely to become drowsy behind the wheel.
Certain medications can lead to drowsiness while driving, and drivers who have sleep disorders, work late at night or work long shifts also have an increased risk of driving drowsy. Even a single night of poor sleep can lead to a drowsy driving collision.
Statistics on drowsy driving accidents
The CDC reports that in 2017, drowsy driving caused an estimated 91,000 accidents, almost 800 fatalities and 50,000 injuries. Moreover, the CDC points out that it is difficult to determine the exact number of drowsy driving accidents. In fact, the CDC states that as many as 6,000 deadly accidents could take place every year due to drowsy driving.
If you suffered an injury in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, you need to hold them answerable.
