We all know that speed kills. And in recent decades, most countries have cracked down on drunken driving to reduce the carnage that alcohol has caused on roads and highways. But did you know that sleepy driving, including drowsy driving caused by sleep apnea, is also a major road hazard?
Drowsy Driving Kills
It’s true. Drowsy driving causes 6,400 deaths and more than $100 billion a year in insurance claims in the United States alone, according to AAA. And these numbers may not fully account for the mayhem.
It is far more difficult for investigators to ascertain drowsy driving as the cause of a fatal accident than it is, for instance, to blame driving under the influence. It has also been determined that a higher percentage of motor vehicle accidents caused by sleeplessness result in deaths than vehicle wrecks due to other causes.
Clearly a growing problem, drowsy driving is being recognized and studied. Close to 84 million Americans admit to having driven while drowsy. Road fatalities have been growing, with an increase of 7.7 percent recorded in 2015.
Although not all of this increase is due to drowsy driving, of course, sleeplessness plays a part. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has included drowsiness in its definition of impaired driving along with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and distracted driving.
Although it’s unknown how big a part sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can play in vehicle accidents, these conditions obviously have a role, and some states have been considering restricting driving privileges for those diagnosed with them.
Of course, a drowsy driver who does get in an accident bears legal responsibility for negligence just as would a driver who drove recklessly.
Better Sleep Can Help Decrease the Hazards of Drowsy Driving
At Respshop, we carry a huge selection of high-quality CPAP machines and other devices that can help you or someone you know to get the proper rest needed for alert motoring. If you have questions about how we can help you, call us toll-free, email us, or contact us via instant chat.
