Drowsy Driving Causing Car Accidents

Drowsy driving is not only a problem for truck drivers and mass transportation operators but is also a problem for drivers ages 17 through 24.  An Australian study reported in the Journal of American Pediatrics on March 20, 2013 discussed the substantial increased risk to young drivers who had less than six hours sleep each night as compared to those with more than six hours sleep each night.  Nearly 10% of the 17 year olds and 17% of the 20 to 24 year olds in the study reported fewer than six hours of sleep per night, creating a public health risk from drowsy driving.  While drowsy driving is one of the riskiest activities for young folks, ranking well up there with distracted driving with cell phones and texting, it is less recognized and less understood.  Discovery in an automobile accident case can uncover the source of an otherwise inexplicable single-car accident and attribute it to drowsy driving, distracted driving or driving while impaired in another sense. Drive safely!

Mid adult man yawning while driving a car