Drowsy Driving Might Be Just as Deadly as Drunk Driving

July 17, 2012

Drowsy Driving Might Be Just as Deadly as Drunk Driving

Everyone knows the risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The delayed reaction time and errors in judgment associated with intoxication can be fatal on the road. What most people don't know is that driving when you're short on sleep can be just as dangerous.

A recent French study - published in the medical trade journal Archives of Internal Medicine - found that drivers who were either legally intoxicated or very drowsy were at least twice as likely to cause accidents. The study examined the medical records and anecdotal accounts of 679 drivers who were hospitalized after serious vehicle accidents, finding that fatigued drivers suffered almost identical issues with poor decision-making and delayed reaction times as drunk ones.

Perhaps even more alarming is the cautionary tale provided by an associate scientist at the Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Disorders and Research Center in Detroit, Michigan: a mere four hours of lost sleep impairs a driver as much as drinking a six-pack of beer. An entire sleepless night is comparable to a blood-alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit in nearly every U.S. state and territory.

Factors Contributing to Fatigue-Related Accidents

Many fatigue-related accidents have common traits, including:
-Most drowsy driving crashes happen at night.Not surprisingly, drivers tend to be sleepiest when driving during normal sleeping hours. In addition, the surrounding darkness may lull drivers to sleep more easily than sunlight.
-Single-vehicle accidents. Many crashes caused by drowsy drivers involve one car veering off the road after the driver falls asleep.
-Crashes happen at high speeds. Long, straight stretches of highway can lull even the most attentive driver into a false sense of security and encourage him or her to speed on the way to a destination. A sleepy driver is more likely to zone out at these high speeds.
-The driver does not take corrective action in time. After drifting off, drowsy drivers are unable to quickly correct their course by braking or swerving to avoid a crash.
-The driver is alone in the car. If a driver falls asleep while driving with someone else, their passenger can wake them up or grab the wheel. One study found that 82 percent of fatigue-related crashes were caused by lone drivers.

Many of these factors, like high speeds and a lack of driver response, make fatigue-related accidents particularly dangerous. Several studies have linked fatigue to a higher rate of serious injuries and death in motor vehicle crashes.

Taking a short rest before taking the wheel -- or pulling over for a power nap if sleepiness hits you on the road -- can help prevent fatigue-related crashes. Drinking a cold or caffeinated beverage, rolling down windows or turning up the air conditioning may seem like good aids to keep you alert, but use them with caution. They cannot prevent sleepiness; they only mask the symptoms for a short while. There is no substitute for rest when driving is involved.

Unfortunately, even the most thorough precautions cannot ensure that other drivers will act responsibly. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a drowsy driver, an experienced personal injury attorney may help you preserve your legal rights and explore options for seeking compensation.

Article provided by The Law Offices of Smith & Doran, P.C.
Visit us at www.smith-doran.com