The week of November 12 is being observed as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. It is important to raise awareness about fatigued driving because a drowsy driver is often as dangerous as a drunk driver. According to a news report in KOKC Radio, one in six deadly crashes involve a drowsy driver. A recent study showed that 30 percent of drivers surveyed admitted to driving in the past 30 days while struggling to keep their eyes open. This means that at any given time, a number of vehicles on the roadway are being driven by someone who is potentially unfocused, daydreaming, falling asleep, or drifting from their lane of traffic.
According to the report, one in seven licensed drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 admitted to having nodded off while driving in the past year. For all other drivers, that number is approximately one in 10. Therefore, Oklahoma families who have a young driver in their household would be well advised to use this week to remind him or her to pull over when fatigued.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every year, more than 100,000 crashes involve a drowsy driver. Approximately 1,550 fatalities and 71,000 injuries are the direct result of a fatigued or sleeping driver. Fatigued driving results in slower reaction times and poor judgment. If you are struggling to keep your eyes open, pull over. If you are yawning or rubbing your eyes, do not attempt to keep driving.
If you have suffered a loss in a crash because of a drowsy driver, please contact the experienced Oklahoma City auto accident injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm. We offer free consultations at (405) 705-5050. Please contact us today to find out how we can help you.
