Before you get behind the wheel, it is crucial to make sure that you are not struggling with fatigue that could adversely affect your driving abilities. Unfortunately, some drivers fail to follow this advice and they drive even though they are very tired. Drowsy driving endangers lives and also causes many victims to suffer serious injuries each year.
It is helpful for drivers to take a look at statistics on drowsy driving to draw more attention to this major problem on roadways in West Virginia and across the U.S.
Data on drowsy driving injuries
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that it is difficult to determine the exact number of drowsy driving accidents, injuries and deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that over the course of 2017, drowsy driving resulted in 50,000 injuries and 91,000 traffic accidents. That said, the CDC believes that the actual number of traffic accidents that take place due to driver fatigue, as well as the number of people who suffer injuries or lose their lives, is much higher.
The prevalence of drowsy driving
According to the CDC, estimates suggest that one out of every 25 adult drivers reported falling asleep behind the wheel in the last 30 days. Moreover, a survey involving almost 150,000 adults found that 4% said they fell asleep behind the wheel in the last 30 days.
When a driver falls asleep or even doses off for a few seconds, they could cause a devastating accident that results in significant injuries or death. The victims of these accidents deserve a voice.