The American Automobile Association (AAA) released a new study on drowsy drivers revealing that they account for more vehicle accidents and deaths than previously thought. Based out of Washington, D.C., AAA found that forty-one percent of drivers in the country have fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point. About one in every six fatal car accidents involve a drowsy driver.
The study also looked into drivers’ attitudes towards sleepiness when driving and found that most overestimate their abilities to drive while tired. More than a quarter of the survey’s participants said that they had driven in the past month despite struggling to keep their eyes open. 59% of those who fell asleep while driving said they did so within one hour of getting behind the wheel. AAA also found that drivers under the age of 25 are almost twice as likely to be in a crash involving drowsy drivers.
AAA recommends that drivers not get behind the wheel if they are too tired. For people who insist on driving regardless, AAA provides several pointers:
- Stop and rest every 100 miles or every two hours
- Drive with a rested passenger
- Drink a caffeinated beverage.
Those who choose to drive while drowsy put themselves and others at risk. People and their loved ones who have been in an accident that was caused by a drowsy driver may wish to consult a Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer.
For more information on your legal options following an automobile accident, contact William P. Lightfoot, a Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney, at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.