Most people know that it is a bad idea to get behind the wheel when you are tired or overly fatigued. You may fall asleep at the wheel and veer off the road, and even your reaction times and recognition of oncoming dangers are severely inhibited.
However, a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that most people don’t follow their own advice. The study found that two out of every five drivers in the U.S. (41%) admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at some point, with one in ten saying they’ve done so in the past year. More than one quarter of people said they had driven in the past month, even when they had trouble keeping their eyes open.
Perhaps even worse, the study found a statistic correlation between these surprisingly-high figures and accident rates. The study found that about one in six (16.5%) of fatal car wrecks involved a drowsy driver. One in eight crashes that resulted in hospitalization, and one in fourteen accidents in which a vehicle was towed had the same.
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(855) 529-0269Obviously, drowsy and fatigued driving is a serious problem. AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger says “when you are behind the wheel of a car, being sleepy is very dangerous. Sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol, contributing to the possibility of a crash.”
The takeaway of the study is clear: drowsy driving is negligent driving. If you feel overly tired or are having trouble keeping your eyes open, you are putting yourself in significant danger of a Florida car accident. Pull over or give the keys to someone who is more alert.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drowsy driver who caused a serious Florida car accident, you may be eligible to recover damages from the wreck. By filing a personal injury claim against a negligent driver, you may be able to earn financial compensation for your medical bills, missed time at work, ongoing care, and much more.
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