Drowsy Driving

Falling asleep behind the wheel will almost always result in a fatal accident, and can put other drivers in danger as well. You may have heard of stories of people falling asleep behind the wheel, but you wouldn’t expect yourself to. However, statistics show that fatigue is common amongst all drivers. The deadly outcome of most drowsy driving accidents is enough to make any person check themselves before getting behind the wheel. 

How to Avoid Driving Drowsy

• Do not drive for long periods of time
• Do not drive for long periods of time at night
• Do not drive if you feel slightly fatigued

Driving drowsy makes it so that the driver cannot operate their vehicle properly. Motor skills are slowed and eventually obsolete. GHSA points out that driving drowsy is similar to driving drunk: 

• Driving without sleep for 24 hours is the equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10%;
• Driving after not sleeping for 21 hours is approximately the same as operating a car while at Florida’s legal drunk-driving limit of .08%
• Driving after staying awake for 18 hours puts a motorist at a BAC of .05%.

Most Common Reasons Drivers Fall Asleep

• Long road trips: monotonous driving for long periods of time will make anyone sleepy. 
• Driving on little to no sleep
• Stress: If stress and anxiety keep a person awake at night and they are not able to go into full REM, this will affect them during waking hours.

If you’re involved in a car accident with a drowsy driver, or the driver has fallen asleep behind the wheel, after 911, call 411. Call Path at 1-800-411-PAIN for help with your personal injury case. It is important to immediately seek medical attention, and 411 Pain provides you with the best doctors in your area as well as expert attorneys to get you the compensation you deserve.