Residents of New Jersey understand that drowsy driving is not always safe. But do you understand how much of a risk it is? Do you know how many people one drowsy driver may put at risk?
Today we will take a closer look at drowsy driving. We will see how it factors into car crashes. We will examine the true impact of drowsy driving on the safety of all drivers on the road.
The risks of drowsy driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention take a look at factors of drowsy driving. For example, drowsy driving is one of the most common types of distracted driving. Many people do not even know that it is a form of distraction. People drive without getting enough sleep often. It is a somewhat normalized thing in many societies.
But drowsy driving impacts a driver’s abilities. This is similar to texting and driving or drunk driving. Many drowsy drivers cannot spot danger in time to avoid it. They have dulled reactions and slow reaction times. Rear end crashes are common. This is because drowsy drivers do not notice the car ahead stopped or slowed down in time to avoid hitting them.
Falling asleep at the wheel
They may even fall asleep at the wheel. This is the ultimate risk because it means a driver is unconscious. They cannot react to anything while asleep. This leads to many devastating crashes.
In 2013 alone, an estimated 6,000 fatal crashes occurred because of drowsy driving. Statistics likely rise as the years go on. One of the best ways to combat dangerous driving behavior is to stigmatize it. If drivers create a stigma around drowsy driving, will it help? It may discourage this behavior and make the roads a bit more safe.