New Jersey residents are no strangers to car accidents. Sadly, many collisions are avoidable. Many are caused by drowsy driving, which continues to have a serious impact on everyone on the road.
What is drowsy driving?
Drowsy driving occurs when a driver gets behind the wheel while they’re tired. A driver who is drowsy has a much higher risk of getting into an accident that causes serious personal injuries than one who had a quality night’s sleep before driving. Drowsy driving continues to be a problem nationwide.
Different factors can contribute to the issue of drowsy driving. Poor quality sleep, not enough sleep, sleep disorders, shift work and certain medications can result in a driver falling asleep behind the wheel. Even losing a single hour of sleep can cause a problem.
Around 100,000 car accidents occur every year due to drowsy driving. Out of those accidents, around 71,000 cause personal injury. Another 1,550 people die each year from drowsy driving accidents.
While drowsy driving is often thought of as a person falling asleep behind the wheel, an accident can occur even if the person never actually falls asleep. Simply being tired or one’s mind wandering while drowsy can result in a serious crash that results in personal injuries.
When are drowsy driving accidents most likely to happen?
The majority of drowsy driving crashes occur between the hours of midnight and 6 AM. Some are also likely to occur after 4 PM. Rural areas are more likely to see drowsy driving accidents occur.
Many drowsy driving accidents occur after daylight saving time as the clocks spring forward.
Drowsy driving is often compared with drunk driving. A driver’s judgment and reaction time are significantly impaired in a way that’s similar to someone driving under the influence. Getting regular quality sleep can prevent these accidents and save lives.
