The National Sleep Foundation recognizes that drowsy driving is a growing problem in its annual “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” every November. This nationwide campaign comes as studies have shown that fatigued driving causes a significant number of crashes every year.
Colorado is particularly prone to drowsy driving, due to the long stretches of highway and interstate that connect the major metropolitan areas across the rural areas of the state. In fact, Colorado has one of the highest percentages of fatal accidents caused by tired driving in the nation.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., applauds the efforts to curb drowsy driving (not least since we live here, too), and wishes to promote safe, clearheaded, and responsive driving. #Awake2Drive
How Common Is Drowsy Driving?
Sadly, this dangerous situation is much more common than you might think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a list of statistics highlighting the epidemic:
- An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers (aged 18 years or older) reports that he or she has fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries in 2013.
- Additionally, NHTSA estimates that drowsy driving caused 800 deaths in 2013 but research in the field suggests that there are closer to 6,000 fatal crashes caused by drowsy driving.
- A study by AAA found that 16.5% of deadly traffic accidents are caused by drowsy drivers.
The dangers posed by driving while overly tired are abundantly clear. Even if a driver doesn’t fall asleep, he or she might be too drowsy to pay attention to the road and react in time to avoid an accident. Tired drivers also have a harder time making good decisions and exercising sound judgment.
Drowsy Driving Can Be as Bad as Drunk Drinking
If drowsy driving sounds similar to driving under the influence, you are absolutely right. Though a good attorney has ways of accessing evidence that may prove “drowsy driving” in the event of a personal injury claim, there is no one “test” for determining whether a driver was fatigued prior to an accident like there is for drunk driving.
When trying to determine whether fatigue played a role in an accident, it’s important to note that certain people are more prone to drowsy driving. This includes truck drivers and other commercial operators who are on the road for long periods of time. Additionally, people who have just finished a long shift on the job are susceptible to fatigued driving. While people who suffer from untreated sleeping disorders are more prone to fatigued driving, drowsy driving can happen to anybody who hasn’t gotten enough sleep. Take care of yourself, and don’t hit the road when you feel your eyes are too heavy to blink.
If you suspect that a truck accident affecting you or a loved one was caused by a fatigued driver, you need to seek out the help of an experienced team of personal injury attorneys. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we have the resources and expertise to assist our clients in procuring the compensation they need to recover. Call (719) 475-2555 today and schedule a free consultation.