When a driver takes to the road even though they are very tired, this decision could result in a devastating motor vehicle collision. Every year, many people die and sustain serious injuries due to accidents caused by driver fatigue. All drivers should go over statistics on drowsy driving and traffic crashes to understand the prevalence and consequences of this behavior.
Unfortunately, people continue to drive even though they are suffering from fatigue that could interfere with their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Accidents caused by driver fatigue
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 600 deaths in 2020 as a result of drowsy driving. Moreover, drowsy driving collisions claimed almost 800 lives and caused 50,000 people to suffer injuries in 2017. That said, the CDC believes these figures are significantly underestimated, and they say that more than 6,000 deadly drowsy driving accidents could occur on an annual basis.
Risk factors associated with driver fatigue
According to researchers, over 70 million people in the U.S. struggle with sleep disorders, which account for many drowsy driving crashes. Driver fatigue can also occur when people work particularly strenuous shifts at work, try to adjust to a new schedule or drive for lengthy periods of time (such as road trips). Additionally, some drivers become drowsy at certain times, such as the early morning and late afternoon, or after taking certain medications.
Sometimes, people push themselves to drive even though they feel very tired. However, there is no excuse for drowsy driving that places lives in danger.
