12 to 17% of Fatal Traffic Accidents May Be Attributable to Driving While Drowsy! ~by Legal Pub

Over the years there has been a great deal of focus in preventing drinking and driving accidents. The number of arrests for DUI have skyrocketed. However, the media has now turned its focus to driving while drowsy. Tracy Morgan's accident with a tired trucker put the issue into the nation's spotlight. In fact, Tracy Morgan has recently filed suit against Walmart arising out of an accident where his limo was rear ended by an allegedly sleepy trucker. Comedian James McNair lost his life in that same accident.

Some governmental research suggests that driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving in a sub-optimal state due to sleep deprivation has been shown to impair judgment, motor skills, cognitive ability and even vision.  The AAA has expressed its belief that drowsy driving may have contributed to almost 12% of all traffic fatalities.   Others suggest the statistic is as high as 17%.

Can this problem be reduced?  Caffeine, open windows, exercise/stretching, and loud music seem to provide only limited benefit.  The fact is, the safest remedy is to stop and sleep or let another rested person drive.  Truckers may soon face new legislation designed to decrease the number of hours that they are allowed to be on the nation's highways.  But how about the rest of us on the roadways? 

The first step is to recognize that you may be drowsy.  If you are hitting a rumble strip, yawning or forgetting the last couple of miles, pull over and take a nap. Drinking coffee or an energy drink may help, but the effects are only temporary. Consequently, the safest recourse is to get some sleep at the nearest safe spot. If you absolutely can't sleep long enough to regenerate your attention, consume an energy drink and take a short nap until to are alert enough to drive.  The life you save, may be your own.