Approximately one in every six fatal crashes (16.5%)in the USA involves a drowsy driver, according to a new report published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. At least one-quarter of respondents said that they got behind the wheel during the previous four weeks even though it had been hard to keep their eyes open.
Paradoxically, 85% said it was unacceptable to drive while being drowsy. It reveals that a significant number of those drowsywho see drowsy driving as unacceptable have done it themselves.
The authors explain that some drivers may not understand what impact not getting enough sleep can have on an individual's alertness, reflexes and degree of fatigue.
Below is some highlighted data from the report:
* 1 in every 6 fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver
* Drowsy drivers are involved in 1 in every 8 crashes in which somebody ends up in hospital
* 1 in every 14 crashes in which the vehicle was towed away involves a driver who was drowsy
The authors write that these estimates are far higher than previous ones. It is clear that the impact of drowsy driving on crashes,
deaths and injuries has not been fully realized.
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Many of us tend to underestimate the negative effects associated with fatigue and sleep deprivation and, conversely, overestimate our abilities to overcome them while driving.
Before driving, people should (Source: AAA):
- Make sure they have had at least six hours of non-stop, restful trip before embarking on a long drive.
- The drive should be broken up into segments of two hours (or 100 miles), with a good break in between.
- Driving, especially if it is a long trip, should occur during your normal waking hours, and not while you are usually asleep. Stay overnight rather than trying to drive through the night.
- People who start feeling sleepy while behind the wheel should stop driving immediately. You are becoming sleepy if you have difficulty in keeping your eyes open, keeping your head up requires more effort than usual, your thoughts start to stray and become disconnected, or you find yourself either tailgating or veering from your lane.
