Driving Drowsy Can be as Dangerous as Driving under the Influence

A new report shows driving while drowsy may be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. According to CBS News, 96 percent of people say they are against drowsy driving, but about 32 percent say they’ve done it before. Often times, drivers underestimate how being sleepy can affect their driving. Driving while tired can affect your response time, your alertness, and impair your judgment. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) reported that nine out of 10 police officers say they have stopped a driver they believed was drunk, but found out that they were actually driving drowsy.
A study done by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released in 2010 shows drowsy drivers were responsible for one out of six fatal car accidents and one in eight accidents that result in an injury. The report also says men and young drivers are more likely to drive while sleepy. Men and drivers between ages 16 and 24 were twice as likely to drive while drowsy and get into an accident.
According to the New York State Department of Health (DOH), drivers are most likely to feel tired between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. There are about 100,000 drowsy driving accidents a year, which cost about $12.5 billion. The state advises drivers to be aware of the times of day you feel most tired and make a commitment to stay off the roads at those times. The AAA Foundation offers the following tips to avoid driving while drowsy. Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep or rest before a long trip. Take breaks every 100 miles. Stop immediately if you feel sleepy; drink caffeine and travel with a partner who will stay awake with you.
Driving drowsy is negligent driving. Someone who causes an accident because he or she was sleepy or tired may be liable for any injuries or property damage caused. Driver negligence is described as anything the driver should not be doing while operating a vehicle, which includes getting behind the wheel while fatigued, speeding, and drunken driving. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident because of a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, past and future pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have a lengthy record of helping car accident victims. If you or a loved has been injured in a New York transportation accident, please call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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