Drowsy driving causing drivers to fall asleep are being linked to more deadly car accidents than previously thought, according to a new study.
Nearly one in six fatal crashes – 17 percent – involves a drowsy driver, and one in eight crashes result in serious injury, according to a study released Monday, based on AAA Foundation’s 2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index. The statistics are four to five times higher than previously thought.
The study also found 41% of respondents have fallen asleep or nodded off while driving at one time in their lives.
As a North Charleston personal injury lawyer , I always suggest drivers avoid driving while drowsy, especially in rural areas or long, dark roads without a lot of physical stimulation. The best thing drivers can do is be aware of the symptoms of drowsiness and recognize those dangers.
Some symptoms are: heavy eyelids and head, daydreaming or wandering, drifting, yawning, missing signs, forgetting what you’ve recently passed and feeling irritable.
Driving while drowsy is very dangerous to the driver and anyone near the suspect vehicle. As a North Charleston personal injury attorney , I recommend never exerting yourself past your physical limit while driving, and following these tips on how to avoid drowsy driving by AAA.