In preventable accidents, collisions caused by drowsy drivers may be among the worst. Many Americans struggle with fatigue, whether the fatigue occurs from work, children or long drives.
Unfortunately, drowsy driving causes cognitive impairments that lead to motor vehicle accidents.
When will you likely encounter drowsy drivers?
According to the NHTSA, drowsy driving accidents tend to happen between midnight and six a.m. The late afternoon is the second most likely time to find drowsy drivers. The uptick in fatigued drivers is because these are the times most people will likely experience a drop in their circadian rhythm. Your body regulates sleep and no matter how much you believe you can beat it, it will make you sleepy at certain hours.
Generally, you will find drowsy drivers in rural areas and highways. Tired drivers tend to be alone in the vehicle and may suddenly run off the road or switch lanes with no signs of braking.
Which drivers have a higher likelihood of drowsy driving?
When asked by the CDC, four percent of all adults admit falling asleep while driving at least once in 30 days. For drivers who only sleep six hours and less take significant risks when driving. Likewise, commercial drivers and those who work the night shift or long hours tend to fight fatigue behind the wheel more often.
While drivers can attempt to fight tired driving, they cannot rely solely on caffeine. After all, when you deprive yourself of sleep, you still experience microsleeps, even when caffeinated. The best cure for sleepy driving is to find a place to rest.
