As many as 5,000 to 6,000 fatal car accidents may be caused by drowsy drivers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. According to the CDC, drowsy driving and falling asleep at the wheel are not as uncommon as you may think.
In a survey of 150,000 people age 18 and older, 4.2 percent reported falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the last 30 days. The survey also found that the people who snored or got less than six hours of sleep on average were more likely to report falling asleep at the wheel.
Obviously, falling asleep while you’re driving can quickly lead to a car accident, but driving while you simply feel sleepy can also be very dangerous and is a common cause of car accidents. Fatigue impairs your brain much like alcohol and:
- Slows your reaction time
- Makes you less alert
- Reduces your ability to make good judgments
To prevent car accidents caused by drowsy driving, try to identify the sources of your fatigue. If you are not getting enough sleep or a housemate has noticed you snore chronically, you may want to consult a physician about any underlying sleep disorder.
For more information about compensation claims following a car accident in Orlando or elsewhere in Florida, please contact the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a free initial consultation.