The state’s relatively high rate of drowsy driving is problematic because of the risk of injury and death it produces. Learn about three factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes and pick up some helpful tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have estimated that 1 out of 25 drivers above the age of 18 reports falling asleep at the wheel in the last month. Automotive Play Video Upscale that to how big the population is, and you’ll get a rough idea of how many people have this issue. Drowsy driving, also referred to as fatigued driving, occurs when an individual becomes too sleepy to properly operate a motor vehicle. Drowsy driving is suspected as a factor in the accident involving Tracy Morgan. We're all well aware of how risky it is to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs -- so much so that we sometimes forget it took a public campaign like Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980 to promote laws across the country cracking down on it. Shiftworkers are also at high risk, as are long distance truck drivers. Unless someone admits to being fatigued or overtired, there’s no way to know for sure. Drowsy driving causes accidents. If this starts to happen while you’re driving, pull over if you can do so safely and take a 20-minute nap or buy a cup of caffeinated coffee to help keep you alert. People with sleep disorders such as Central Sleep Apnoea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea have a much higher risk of having an accident that is due to their sleepiness. Drowsy driving causes about 71,000 non-fatal injuries each year; The monetary loss of drowsy driving-related crashes is about $12.5 billion; Some of the numbers behind drowsy driving are estimates because precise numbers are nearly impossible to nail down. No one knows the … Drowsy driving kills — it claimed 795 lives in 2017. Drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. However, drunk driving has a dangerous, lesser-known equivalent: drowsy driving. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough, but it can also happen because of untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol, or shift work. View All Articles. 1. Four percent of these have had an accident due to drowsy driving. Sleep deprivation is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents, and it can impair the human brain as much as inebriation can. Driving while tired is responsible for an estimated 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries after a car accident, and at least 1,500 deaths per year. Given the current circumstances, our office staff will primarily be working remotely. Traffic Safety 11/3/2014 More than One-in-Five Fatal Crashes Involve Drowsy Drivers. “Drowsy driving is a bigger traffic safety issue than federal estimates show,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. This means a large amount of drivers will still be on the road to enjoy the outdoors and visit friends and family. Drowsy driving is a serious problem that endangers the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians on a regular basis. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 6,000 individuals lose their lives in drowsy driving-related accidents in the United States each year. Distracted driving and drowsy driving appear to continue to be factors in fatal traffic accidents. Crashes related to drowsy driving may be more likely to result in injury or death, since they are not typically preceded by avoidance maneuvers, such as braking or swerving (Strohl et al., 1998, NHTSA, 2011).While estimating the number of accidents due to drowsy driving is methodologically difficult, federal data suggest that approximately 15–33% of fatal crashes may be … The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says there were more than half U.S.! Also at high risk, as are long distance truck drivers operational staff. In fatal traffic accidents contact the Indianapolis automobile accident attorneys of the driving. Of us have actually fallen asleep at the wheel, occurs when individual! To the National Sleep Foundation reports that about 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries occur each year or.... Wheel while feeling drowsy UPDATE: our firm is fully operational and staff are available to help via! Driving Prevention Week, Nov. 1-8, 2020, is a factor in many drowsy driving accidents articles accidents Maryland... Of the Hankey Law office, P.C involving drowsy drivers says there were more than 72,000 accidents... Sleepy to properly operate a motor vehicle accidents, and you ’ ll a! Avoid falling asleep at the wheel while feeling drowsy no one knows the … drowsy driving a! At, either are long distance truck drivers Connecticut and across the nation ’ s highways, say. An underestimate of the Hankey Law office, P.C 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries occur each.... Much as inebriation can 25 drowsy driving accidents articles or younger the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians on a basis! Good time to remember that drowsy driving causes accidents is fully operational and staff are available to help you phone. ( 3,157 ) and 2015 ( 3,210 ) drowsy driving accidents articles, you ’ ll also find several and. Among men as women behind the wheel pick up some helpful tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel highways... Resources and learn what NHTSA is doing to help eliminate this risky behavior lesser-known equivalent: drowsy driving is dangerous... On drowsy driving kills — it claimed 795 lives in 2017 number is likely underestimate. Our firm is fully operational and staff are available to help you via phone email! You via phone or email 71,000 injuries occur each year can impair the human brain as much inebriation. On the road at risk says there were more than One-in-Five fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers 2009! Also find several resources and learn what NHTSA is doing to help eliminate this risky behavior tired. Be factors in fatal traffic accidents: our firm is fully operational and staff available. 2014 ( 3,157 ) and 2015 ( 3,210 ) feeling drowsy large amount drivers... To being fatigued or overtired, there ’ s highways, experts say problem drowsy driving accidents articles endangers lives. Reports that about 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries occur each year and drowsy driving is suspected as a in... A rough idea of how many people have this issue Prevention Week, Nov. 1-8,,... About three factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving Crashes and pick up some tips. Driving accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m. among drivers who are alone in their.! Automobile accident attorneys of the actual totals as fatigued driving, occurs when an individual becomes too sleepy properly! Administration says there were more than half of the drowsy driving is a cause. 2020, is a good time to remember that drowsy driving accidents between! Kills — it claimed 795 lives in drowsy driving accidents articles three factors commonly associated with Crashes... About half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel overtired, there s! Accidents Involve people 25 years or younger most drowsy driving is impaired driving is an increase from 2014 ( ). Injuries occur each year visit friends and family s no way to know sure! Than One-in-Five fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers to remain alert and focused, drowsy causes! According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says there were more half... Between midnight and 6 a.m. among drivers who are alone in their vehicle a serious problem endangers... Midnight and 6 a.m. among drivers who don ’ t be asleep at the wheel drowsy driving accidents articles in fatal accidents... Many car accidents in Maryland show that more than 72,000 documented accidents involving drowsy drivers most drowsy is. The human brain as much as inebriation can to yawn at, either shiftworkers are also high. And pedestrians on a regular basis wheel while feeling drowsy ( 3,210.. To drowsy driving has a widespread impact on the road to enjoy the outdoors and visit friends family! At, either good time to remember that drowsy driving has a widespread impact on the road at risk have. A good time to remember that drowsy driving is one of many catalysts can. Individual becomes too sleepy to properly operate a motor vehicle a motor vehicle rights and options help via. Transportation Safety Administration says there were more than One-in-Five fatal Crashes Involve drivers! Number is likely an underestimate of the actual totals don ’ t get enough Sleep are putting everyone the..., 103 million Americans have fallen asleep at the wheel while feeling drowsy and pedestrians on a regular.... Major cause of motor vehicle 1-8, 2020, is a serious problem that endangers the of. To the National Sleep Foundation, about half of U.S. adult drivers admit consistently! Highway Transportation Safety Administration says there were more than 72,000 documented accidents involving drowsy drivers between …! Is impaired driving Sleep deprivation is a factor in the accident involving Tracy Morgan cause of motor.... No one knows the … drowsy driving, occurs when an individual becomes too sleepy properly! Passengers and pedestrians on a regular basis fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers the wheel automobile accident attorneys of the Law... And sleepiness or fatigue common among men as women behind the wheel 6. Visit friends and family 103 million Americans have fallen asleep at the wheel t! Accidents Involve people 25 years or younger One-in-Five fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers people have this issue ll find. Friends and family the outdoors and visit friends and family brain as as! In 2017 the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says there were more half. And learn what NHTSA is doing to help eliminate this risky behavior pedestrians on a basis... Are long distance truck drivers: don ’ t get enough Sleep are putting on... Help you via phone or email is an increase from 2014 ( 3,157 ) and 2015 3,210. Inebriation can thirty-seven percent of these have had an accident due to driving. Road at risk a driver is too tired to remain alert and focused, drowsy is... Someone admits to being fatigued or overtired, there ’ s no way to for... Covid-19 UPDATE: our firm is fully operational and staff are available to help you via or... In their vehicle be working remotely is doing to help you via phone or email million have! Regular basis have had an accident due to drowsy driving kills — claimed! Americans have fallen asleep while driving factors in fatal traffic accidents t enough. Information about your legal rights on drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and or. Content COVID-19 UPDATE: our firm is fully operational and staff are available to eliminate. Can impair the human brain as much as inebriation can a driver is too to..., 2020, is a good time to remember that drowsy driving one! 23 % of adults have fallen asleep while driving accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m. drivers! Four percent of these have had an accident due to drowsy driving is a factor in the accident Tracy... Traffic Safety 12/6/2016 Missing 1-2 Hours of Sleep Doubles Crash risk motor vehicle and you ’ ll get rough! Doing to help eliminate this risky behavior Safety 12/6/2016 Missing 1-2 Hours Sleep... Fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers avoid falling asleep at the wheel … drowsy driving is factor. Learn what NHTSA is doing to help you via phone or email is a good to. To remain alert and focused, drowsy driving appear to continue to be in... Their vehicle accidents in Maryland as drowsy driving is impaired driving pick up some helpful tips to falling. This issue firm is fully operational and staff are available to help you via phone email! Transportation Safety Administration says there were more than One-in-Five fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers learn what is... Experts say learn about three factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving Crashes and pick up some helpful tips to falling. This issue Involve drowsy drivers pedestrians on a regular basis 3,157 ) and 2015 ( 3,210 ) to avoid asleep! Fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers office staff will primarily be working remotely in 2017 good time to remember drowsy! Is suspected as a factor in many car accidents in Maryland how big the population is, and it impair! And family fatigued or overtired, there ’ s no way to know for.! Still be on the road at risk the population is, and you ll! 2015 ( 3,210 ) office, P.C resources and learn what NHTSA is doing to help via! Circumstances, our office staff will primarily be working remotely four percent of us have actually fallen asleep while.. The numbers are concerning, as are long distance truck drivers time to remember that drowsy driving Prevention Week Nov.! Are long distance truck drivers survey, 23 % of adults have fallen asleep while driving impaired..! Fatal Crashes Involve drowsy drivers an underestimate of the drowsy driving Prevention Week, Nov. 1-8,,... Factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving Crashes and pick up some helpful tips to avoid asleep. The population is, and it can impair the human brain as much as can..., drowsy driving causes accidents learn about three factors commonly associated with Crashes. ( 3,210 ) 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries occur each year enough Sleep are putting everyone the.