Sleep Deprivation May be Responsible for a Spike in Car Accident Rates

Safety experts have long known the dangers of drowsy driving, but new studies have demonstrated that the risks may be even more serious than we thought. In fact, some researchers believe that increasing rates of sleep deprivation among drivers is responsible for the recent spike in car accidents across the country.

Key Findings Regarding Fatigued Driving 

One recent study conducted by AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety found that sleep deprived drivers are at a much higher risk of causing accidents than was previously thought. For instance, compared to drivers who slept for at least seven hours in the past day, drivers who sleep for six to seven hours are 1.3 times more likely to cause an accident, while those who sleep for five to six hours are almost two times more likely to be involved in a crash. The risk nearly doubles for motorists who only sleep between four and five hours (4.3 times the crash rate) and almost triples for those who sleep less than four hours (11.5 times the crash rate). Unfortunately, the same study revealed that in the U.S. drivers are driving on less sleep than ever before, making them a significant risk to other road users.

Why Sleep Deprivation is Dangerous for Drivers 

Besides having a number of effects on people’s health and quality of life, fatigue and sleep deprivation also have safety-related repercussions, especially when it comes to driving. This is because a lack of sleep can cause:

• Impaired cognition;
• Impaired performance;
• Inattention;
• Poor judgment;
• Altered decision-making;
• A lack of coordination; and
• Reduced reaction time.

These issues make it more likely that a sleepy driver will weave back and forth between lanes, have trouble maintaining the correct speed, and have difficulty keeping the right distance from other cars. Sleep deprived drivers also have a harder time reacting quickly to avoid a road hazard or accident. All of these behaviors significantly increase a person’s chances of causing a serious accident. In fact, collisions with drowsy drivers are notorious for being particularly severe, as fatigued motorists often don’t hit the brakes in time to reduce their impact or are unable to swerve out of the way. As a result, injuries are often severe, especially for the non-drowsy accident victim.

Reach Out to Our Dedicated Tampa Drowsy Driving Accident Attorneys 

While it is possible to hold a driver liable for causing a crash because he or she fell asleep at the wheel, doing so can be complicated, as at-fault drivers are rarely willing to admit responsibility for a serious accident. At Anderson & Anderson, our experienced Tampa drowsy driving accident lawyers and dedicated support staff can walk you through your legal options and, if possible, help compile the evidence that will prove that someone else caused your accident. Call our office at 813-251-0072 or reach out to us via online message to set up an initial consultation today. We are standing by and prepared to get started on your case right away.

Source: 

nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving