Although driving under the influence and distracted driving are always in the news, Springfield Missouri injury lawyers just saw the results of a study on a much less discussed topic--falling asleep at the wheel. This study, done by the AAA Foundation, turned up the disquieting information that 41% of drivers polled admitted to having fallen asleep while driving at some point in their lives. One out of 10 drivers admitted to having done so within the past 12 months.
The study was based on information collected via a nationwide telephone survey of 2000 drivers, combined with car accident facts compiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) over a ten year period. Based on this information they received, the AAA Foundation was able to deduce that one out of every six fatal crashes and one out of every eight crashes resulting in serious injuries must involve a drowsy driver.
Although 85% of drivers polled during the telephone survey agreed that it is both dangerous and unacceptable for motorists to keep driving if they are becoming sleepy, and notice their eyes are closing, many of those same respondents admitted that they are guilty of doing it themselves.
Click here to read the AAA Foundation Study.
Drowsy driving can be affected by many other factors than simply not getting enough sleep, including:
• Alcohol consumption (No surprise there!)
• Taking prescription or over the counter drugs with sleepiness as a side effect
• Undiagnosed/untreated sleep disorders
• Driving long hours without stopping
• Driving overnight