In an ideal world, all motorists would get sufficient rest before hitting public roadways. As you probably know, though, the world is not ideal. Indeed, whether due to hectic schedules, sleeping difficulties, excessive screen time or something else, there are too many drowsy drivers on the road.
According to Bankrate, fatigued drivers cause roughly 100,000 motor vehicle accidents every single year. These accidents are responsible for more than 1,500 fatalities and approximately 71,000 injuries annually.
A comparison to intoxicated driving
By now, everyone should realize just how dangerous drunk driving is. Drowsy driving does not receive the same level of attention, however. Still, many safety professionals believe that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. In fact, being awake for 20 consecutive hours has the same effect on a person as having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, which is the legal limit in most jurisdictions.
Limitations of fatigued drivers
When drivers do not have sufficient rest, they often have slowed reflexes. This means they may not timely respond to road hazards, traffic or pedestrians. Additionally, drowsy drivers have an increased chance of falling asleep when they are behind the wheel. Put simply, drivers who doze off can neither control their vehicles nor take evasive action to avoid collisions.
Even though many drivers believe caffeine, cold air and loud music can combat the driving limitations that come with fatigue, there is no substitute for quality rest. Ultimately, if you suffer a serious injury in an accident with a fatigued driver, you might have legal grounds to pursue substantial financial compensation.