Many people in Kentucky are going through life while being chronically tired. Few people seem to place much importance on getting a good night’s sleep — even when they have to drive. Drowsy driving contributes to hundreds of thousands of car accidents every year, and it often causes serious injuries and even death.
What causes drowsy driving?
One of the biggest contributors to drowsy driving is a lack of sleep. The average person needs anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep each and every night to be able to function properly. When people do not get enough sleep, they cannot fully focus on driving. There are other factors to drowsy driving, too. For example, some medications can make people feel sleepy.
Drowsy driving mimics drunk driving
Most people already know just how dangerous drunk driving is. However, some of the behaviors that make drunk drivers so dangerous also show up in drowsy drivers. These behaviors include:
- Poor decision making
- Slowed reaction times
- Blurred vision
One study found that at least 40% of drivers admit to having fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once. Drowsy driving can cause considerable damage through their negligent and reckless behavior. Kentucky victims might struggle with what to do after surviving car accidents such as these, especially if they have suffered traumatic injuries that require a lot of time and medical attention. While this can be a confusing period of time, victims who are eager to secure compensation for their damages would be well advised to consider the benefits of a personal injury lawsuit.
