Hundreds of deaths are attributed to drowsy driving each year. That is troubling, partly because each of those deaths was preventable. Drivers have the option of avoiding operating a vehicle when they’re drowsy, but some drivers choose to take a chance and drive while they’re too fatigued to do so safely.
Some people may not realize that going too long without sleep can have the same impact on a driver as being impaired. By the time a person has gone without sleep for 20 hours, they experience the same effects as someone who has a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, which is considered legally drunk.
Causes of fatigued driving
Fatigued driving can stem from many causes. Lack of sleep is the most common cause. Other possible causes include:
- Working swing or night shifts
- Driving when your body wants to sleep
- Taking medications that lead to drowsiness
Drivers sometimes try to take measures that will help them to stay awake; however, those don’t actually work. The only way to reduce fatigue is to get the rest the body needs. When drivers don’t do this and try to push the limits with how long they drive, crashes can occur.
Victims of fatigued driving crashes may have catastrophic injuries that require medical care. This can be a costly undertaking, so the victim may opt to pursue a compensation claim to hold the negligent driver accountable for the financial damages. Working with someone familiar with these matters is beneficial.