The dangers of driving while drowsy are as impactful as those associated with driving under the influence, which has similar repercussions. According to statistics by the Sleep Foundation, 50% of American adults admitted to driving while drowsy, and 20% have fallen asleep while driving in the last month.
Traffic accidents caused by these incidents are numerous and should receive the same seriousness as drunk driving. We are committed to helping victims of such drivers at Robert J. DeBry and Associates. We strive to find you the best personal injury lawyer for your car accident, truck accident, wrongful death, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, and personal injury claim.
Our law firm is well known for standing up to insurance companies and protecting the rights of personal injury victims throughout Utah. When you suffer a personal injury that wasn’t your fault, you can rely on a car accident attorney from Robert J. DeBry and Associates.
Drunkenness vs. Drowsiness
The effects of driving while drowsy are dangerous. Drowsiness leads to slower reaction times and impaired attention, mental processing, judgment, and decision making. Sleeping less than 6 hours per night throughout multiple nights can lead to drowsiness. Therefore a typical adult should sleep for 6 to 8 hours per night. According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, both drunk driving and driving while fatigued are dangerous. Both doubled one’s chances of getting into an accident.
Additionally, in a study conducted in Australia, sleep deprivation and blood alcohol content (BAC) were associated with the likelihood of a collision. If a person stays awake for 18 hours, their BAC is 0.05; if they remain awake for 24 hours, the BAC is 0.10, which exceeds the legal limit.