Drowsy Drivers: A New Hazard on the Rise

Drowsy driving is becoming one of the leading causes of car accidents throughout the country. A change in the way that people work can be attributed to this rise in these types of accidents. Since the recession, more people are either working longer hours or two jobs to make ends-meet. This causes sleep deprivation and drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving is more likely to occur:

• When someone has had less than six hours of sleep
• When someone works more than 12 hours in one day
• When someone has been awake for 20 hours straight
• When someone drives between the hours of 12 am and 6 am
• When someone works the night shift, even if they only work one job

A recent study conducted by the Highway Safety Research Center also shows that only a small majority of drowsy driving accidents occurred due to sleep medications used for sleep disorders.

The study found that the leading cause for these types of accidents was sleep deprivation. People who do not get over six hours of sleep each night are at risk for falling asleep at the wheel. The motion of the car and the background noise of the wheels humming on the pavement creates the perfect backdrop for snoozing.

The study also indicated that several of the people interviewed admitted that they had fallen asleep at the wheel several times in the past but have been lucky enough not to be involved in a crash. This was a very frightening statistic and something that must be addressed.

Sleepy Drivers Brings Death to Others

Black Friday is probably the most hectic shopping day of the year. It is also one of the most dangerous days to drive. Shoppers, enthused about rock-bottom pricing, often stay up all night and drive great distances to find the best deal. All shoppers are exhausted on Black Friday, especially after a long holiday the day before.

Black Friday 2013 was no exception. A man and four of his family members were traveling in the middle of the night to go wait outside of a store for a Black Friday deal. On the way to the store, it is assumed that he fell asleep at the wheel. This information is based on what the surviving members of the family recall from the event.
The man fell asleep and drove off the road right into a cement sign of a Raleigh gas station. The man died at the scene and the four family members were severely injured and rushed to the hospital. The police determined that this accident was caused by sleep deprivation and drowsy driving.
Sadly, this family had to spend their holiday without their loved one. Unfortunately, this scenario is played out everyday. In the case of North Carolina drivers injured in this type of accident, a call to a Greenville or Raleigh personal injury attorney is in order.

What You Can Do To Remain Safe

While the hustle and bustle of life my make it seem impossible to accomplish everything, and financial demands make it necessary to work two jobs, everyone must find a way to get enough sleep each night.
Not only will this help you avoid falling asleep at the wheel, it will also keep you feeling healthy. A body that is run down from lack of sleep is more prone to disease and infection. Always try your best to schedule at least seven hours of sleep a night so that you remain healthy and safe.

Jamica Bell is a freelance writer and contributor for numerous blogs. After witnessing several drivers snoozing at traffic lights, she became very concerned about the safety of the roadways. During her research, information she obtained from a Raleigh personal injury attorney, as well as other helpful resources provided her with ample data to get the word out about this danger.