Not many people think of drowsy driving as a contributory factor to road accidents, but it is. According to 2017 NHTSA estimates, over 91,000 accidents in the country resulted from drowsy driving.
The accidents resulted in 50,000 injuries and 800 deaths. But the numbers may be much higher since there is no way of telling unless the driver admits it, which is rare. Often investigators depend on clues, and there is no guarantee that they always get it right.
Factors and Consequences
Several factors can contribute to drowsy driving, including fatigue, sleep deprivation, prescription medication, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Many people underestimate the impact of drowsy driving. According to studies, drowsy driving shares similar characteristics with drunk driving but can be worse under some circumstances, such as long hours of sleep deprivation. Studies show that driving for over 18 hours without a break can induce the same level of incapacitation as having a BAC of 0.08.
Irrespective of the reasons causing your drowsiness, it cannot absolve you from liability if you cause an accident. Besides liability, drowsy driving could result in injuries or death to you, other vehicle occupants, and other road users. The good thing is drowsy driving is 100 percent avoidable.
Signs of Drowsy Driving
Paying attention to signs of drowsiness and responding are among the most effective ways to avoid an accident. If you have any form of sleep deprivation, you do not have to wait until you see the signs; you are already at a high chance of sleeping behind the wheel, so always ensure you get enough sleep before getting on the road.
Drowsiness often starts with feeling sleepy, frequent yawning, droopy and tired eyes, increased blinking, and a great urge to nap. The second and the most dangerous stage will be having episodes of micro-sleep that involve switching in and out of sleep within a fraction of a second.
By this time, you may start drifting in and out of the lane and often being shaken awake by the rumble strips or honks from other road users. Missing road signs or exits, following other vehicles too closely and having trouble maintaining proper speeds are among other signs of drowsiness.
By the time these signs show, you are at a very high risk of an accident, and the best cause of action would be to pull over for a nap if you are in a safe zone and do a few stretches. A little exercise can drive the sleep off for a little while but not so long as to negate the need to get a nap.
NHTSA Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving
“It doesn’t matter what kind of a hurry you could be in. Driving while drowsy could mean causing serious injury to others,” says road accident lawyer John Yannone.
The NHTSA offers tips on staying alert when on the road, which include getting enough sleep when planning to take a long drive, getting adequate sleep every night, avoiding alcohol even when it is below the legal limit, and checking your prescription medicine for drowsiness, and avoid driving if they have drowsiness as a side effect.
You may also avoid driving during peak sleep hours (midnight to 6 am and late afternoons) and look for drowsy drivers if you are out on the road during those hours.
