AAA Study Finds Young Drivers More Likely to Drive Drowsy

Crystal River, FL – A recent study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that one in seven licensed drivers between the ages 16 and 24 have admitted to drifting off behind the wheel at least one time during the past year.

While one in 10 of all licensed drivers said they’d actually fallen asleep at some point while driving, data compiled by the AAA shows young drivers are more likely to engage in this dangerous driving behavior.

Recent findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirm that young drivers are highly likely to nod off behind the wheel. Young adults are 78 percent more likely to be drowsy when involved in a car accident than 40- to 49-year-old motorists.

Drowsy driving is potentially deadly and ranked as a leading crash contributor. One in six fatal crashes involved drowsy drivers in 2010, according to the NHTSA.

Research clearly shows that drowsy driving can seriously impact one’s driving ability, causing slowed or delayed reaction times, impaired vision and judgment lapses. In fact, drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Experts have determined that being awake for more than 20 hours could impair your normal faculties to the point where your blood alcohol concentration will equal 0.08, the legal limit across the United States.

Auto accidents caused by fatigued drivers are completely preventable. If you are feeling drowsy or sleepy, refrain from driving any distance. The following are a few ways to prevent drowsy driving from occurring:

• Get a good night’s rest before taking any long drives. It is recommended to get 8 hours of sleep every night.
• Don’t drive long distances by yourself. By having a friend or relative take the drive with you, they can take over the drive when you feel you need to rest.
• If you start to feel tired, pull over and take a nap. Don’t be in such a hurry to get to your final destination that you forget to make smart driving decisions.
• Take a break from driving every two hours or ever 100 miles.
• Try and avoid driving at hours when you would normally be asleep.
• Stay away from alcohol or any medications that may impair your ability to drive safely and stay alert.
• If you are well rested and still feel drowsy or fatigued, caffeine can help. It has been proven that caffeine can heighten alertness.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident that was caused by a drowsy or negligent driver, a Citrus County Auto Accident Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. For a free evaluation of your case, contact us online or call 352-726-0078.