You may be surrounded on the road by more drowsy drivers than you realize

On Behalf of | Jul 6, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Although driving is very dangerous, people spend so much time doing it that they tend to ignore the risks involved. Drivers attempt to multitask at the wheel by eating a meal or sending text messages while waiting in traffic. They decide to drive home after having a few drinks because they don’t want the stress of getting back to their vehicle in the morning.

They know that their decision isn’t the safest one, but they make it anyway. The same is true for people who get behind the wheel when they feel exhausted or barely able to stay awake. Fatigued drivers are a real risk on the roads, as they might fall asleep at the wheel or just not pay enough attention to their surroundings. How big of a risk are drowsy drivers to the rest of the public?

Why are there so many drowsy drivers?

You probably cross paths with a few people using their phones every day and maybe even someone whose blood alcohol concentration is over the legal limit. It is almost unquestionable that you will also drive close to someone who is too tired to be safe during your daily commute.

Chronic stress and fatigue are at all-time highs in American society, and most people don’t prioritize getting the rest that they need. In a survey of adult drivers, one in 25 reported to researchers that they had fallen asleep at the wheel in the last 30 days. That means that about 4% of the drivers taking the survey acknowledge but they were so tired they lost consciousness at the wheel at least once in the last month.

Exhausted drivers might be headed home after a double shift at work or headed back into work after a sleepless night with a newborn. There is no way to know when you might encounter them, but the risk is always there. If you’re injured in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, make sure you get the compensation you need.