Why Is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?

Drowsy Driving: The ‘Quiet Killer’ on Our Roads

Many people are all too familiar with the struggle to stay awake while driving. Fatigue makes it harder to focus, slows your reaction time, and can even cause you to fall asleep without realizing it.

Research shows that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. By learning more about drowsy driving and how to prevent it, we can all work toward making the roads safer.

What Is Drowsy Driving?

Drowsy driving refers to operating a motor vehicle while tired or sleep-deprived. According to the Sleep Foundation, at least 50% of American adults admit to having driven while fatigued.

Most adults need seven to eight hours of solid sleep each night. When you’re sleep-deprived, your brain doesn’t function as it should, and your reaction time takes a serious hit. Fatigue can lead to slowed reaction times, reduced awareness of traffic signs and hazards, and an increased risk of veering.

Fatigue behind the wheel can mimic the effects of alcohol intoxication, reducing the ability to stay alert and react quickly to hazards. Research shows that being awake for 24 hours affects your driving ability in a way comparable to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10%.

Why Drowsy Driving Dangerous Is So Dangerous

Drowsy driving is dangerous because it severely slows down your reaction time, clouds your judgment, makes it harder to focus, and significantly increases the risk of a car accident.

A study by the AAA Foundation, using detailed crash investigations and national fatal crash data, suggests that drowsy driving contributes to approximately ten times more traffic fatalities than traditional crash data reveals. According to the AAA Foundation, drowsy driving accounted for 18% of all traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2021.

Many drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel experience a phenomenon known as “microsleep.” Microsleep episodes typically last between 1-15 seconds.

During these episodes, the brain momentarily shuts down, even though the person might appear to be awake. This lapse in brain activity can prevent the driver from processing information, creating a highly dangerous situation as they can lose control of the vehicle without even realizing it. 

Drowsy drivers are at a higher risk of drifting into oncoming traffic or missing critical road signs. Even microsleeping for a second can have potential life-altering consequences.

Causes of Drowsy Driving

Here are a few of the common causes of drowsy driving:

• Sleep deprivation: Not getting enough sleep leads to fatigue and slower reaction times.
• Work schedules: Shift workers and anyone with late-night or overnight hours are at a higher risk. In addition, irregular work hours can disrupt the body’s natural sleep cycles.
• Sleep disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea cause fragmented sleep, leading to driver fatigue.
• Taking medications: Certain medications have sedative effects or can cause drowsiness.
• Jet lag: Traveling across time zones can disrupt sleep patterns, increasing the risk of drowsy driving.
• Long hours behind the wheel: Extended miles driven without breaks can result in fatigue and even falling asleep behind the wheel.

Warning Signs of Fatigue

It’s vital to recognize the warning signs of fatigue to avoid drowsy driving accidents:

• Heavy eyelids
• Blinking frequently or struggling to focus
• Yawning repeatedly
• Drifting from your lane
• Zoning out or losing awareness of your surroundings
• Overlooking road signs or traffic signals
• Missing turns or exits
• Tailgating

Who Is Most at Risk for Drowsy Driving?

Young Drivers

Young drivers are particularly susceptible to drowsy driving due to a combination of factors, including late-night driving and inadequate sleep.

Shift Workers and Business Travelers

Shift workers, commercial drivers, and business travelers often face irregular schedules that can disrupt their sleep patterns. Late-night and third-shift workers are especially impacted by the natural release of melatonin during nighttime hours, which often coincides with their commute home after a long shift.

Similarly, business travelers often face jet lag and fatigue from long distances and changing time zones, increasing their risk for drowsy driving.

Drivers Who Regularly Don’t Get Enough Sleep

Chronic sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel. These drivers often accumulate sleep debt, making it difficult to stay alert during extended drives. Good sleep hygiene and making time for more sleep are essential for their safety.

Drivers With Untreated Sleep Disorders

Conditions like narcolepsy or insomnia can leave drivers feeling exhausted during the day, while untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) significantly increases the risk of drowsy driving.

Without treatment, these drivers are more prone to motor vehicle crashes due to reduced reaction time and concentration.

Drowsy Driving Statistics

• At least 91,000 police-reported crashes and 800 deaths involved drowsy drivers in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study revealed that 1 in 25 adult drivers has fallen asleep at the wheel within the past month.
• Drowsy driving-related crashes often involve single drivers traveling alone.
• According to AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety report, drowsy driving caused 29,834 traffic fatalities between 2017-2021. In 2021 alone, over 6,500 people lost their lives in drowsy driving-related crashes.

• Drowsy driving was a factor in 693 fatal crashes in 2022.

How to Prevent Drowsy Driving

1. Maintain Good Sleep Habits

Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before hitting the road. Healthy sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene, are critical for preventing drowsy driving. You may wonder, “How much sleep is enough?” According to the Sleep Foundation, healthy adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night.

2. Avoid Driving During Drowsy Driving Hours

Late-night and early-morning hours pose a higher risk for fatigued driving. Auto accidents from drowsy driving occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the mid-afternoon. Avoid driving during these times whenever possible.

3. Take Breaks During Long Drives

Long drives can be exhausting, so plan for regular stops to stretch your legs and recharge. Frequent breaks help reduce fatigue during long distances. Even a short break can make a big difference.

4. Avoid Drowsy Medications

Check labels on medications that may cause drowsiness and avoid driving after taking them. If you see anything like “may cause drowsiness”, it’s best to avoid taking these kinds of medications before you hit the road. Over-the-counter antihistamines, cold medicines, muscle relaxers, and even some prescriptions for anxiety or depression can significantly impair your ability to stay alert.

5. Never Drink and Drive

Each day, about 37 people are killed in drunk-driving crashes across the US. Drinking and driving is illegal. Alcohol is a sedative that can cause driver impairment and exacerbate fatigue. Always avoid consuming alcohol before driving.

We Represent Auto Accident Victims

Though often underreported, drowsy driving crashes are unfortunately common, and the consequences can be life-changing. If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver, a personal injury attorney can help you recover fair compensation.

At Alpha Accident Lawyers, we are committed to helping injured victims obtain justice. Whether you’ve sustained injuries or lost a loved one in a drowsy driving crash, we’ll fight to hold the responsible party accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation.