Drowsy Driving Sometimes Flies Under the Radar

There is no shortage of causes for auto accidents, but one culprit that sometimes doesn’t receive the spotlight it should is drowsy driving.

According to a National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll, 60 percent of drivers admitted to having driven while drowsy; 37 percent said they had nodded off while driving. The actual numbers are likely higher. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reports that roughly 6,000 fatal vehicular accidents each year can be attributed to drowsy driving.

The NSF states that driving after having been awake for 18 straight hours produces effects equivalent to someone with a .05 blood alcohol concentration. After 24 hours, it equates to a .10 BAC (legal intoxication is .08 in most instances). The results are slower reaction time, lack of awareness of one’s surroundings, impaired judgment, and skewed decision making. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Frequent yawning, no clear memory of the last few miles driven, and being snapped to attention by the rumble strip are clear signs of drowsy driving. The only antidote to drowsiness is sleep. If you’re drowsy, don’t get behind the wheel. If drowsiness creeps up on you as you drive, pull over at a safe place and take a 20-minute catnap.

For DUI cases, there are tests that can determine alcohol/drug impairment. Cell phone records can help prove distracted driving. However, there isn’t a clear-cut standard of measure to quantify drowsy driving, which makes these cases more complex.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, contact Corradino & Papa, LLC. We can help you attain rightful compensation.