The Dangers of Drowsy Driving

There are many forms of negligence that exist on the road, but there some that are more prominent than others. While many people discuss the dangers of distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding, very few recognize the full dangers of drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as the other forms of negligence; however, it doesn’t get as much scrutiny. It’s vital for you to recognize just how dangerous it can be to encounter a drowsy driver and what kind of damages you may encounter.

Just How Dangerous is Drowsy Driving?

For years, the federal estimates regarding drowsy driving stated that roughly 1-2% of all accidents were the result of drowsy driving. This doesn’t seem like a lot, but there was a study performed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety determined that numbers are actually up to eight times higher.

The study determined that roughly 8-9% of all accidents are the result of drowsy driving. While it’s still not as prominent as distractions, intoxication, or speeding, fatigue is a lot more dangerous than initially thought, yet people still do it.

Why is it so Dangerous?

Unfortunately, many of the problems that arise when someone is driving while tired are the same that can occur when they are drunk or distracted. People can still swerve into you or fail to stop, causing a rear-end, head-on, or sideswipe collision.

The biggest problem is people don’t always recognize that it is negligence. They believe they can drive just fine, even if they’re tired and continuously yawning. This decision puts you and all others on the road at significant risk of injury, and people must recognize the dangers.

At The Gatti Law Firm, we recognize that drowsy driving can lead to catastrophic harm. Whenever this happens and you endure the long-term impact, our Salem car accident attorneys will be there to help safeguard your rights and pursue the compensation you need and deserve. Trust in us to be your voice during this difficult time.

Call our firm today at (503) 543-1114 for a free consultation.