Mississippi drivers share the road with many other people. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell what a driver’s behaviors are at a glance. You cannot tell if they are safe or if they gamble with lives.
Today, we will focus on the topic of drowsy driving. It does not get as much press as other types of dangerous driving behaviors. Despite this, drowsy driving still puts many drivers at risk every day.
A widespread problem
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention look at the dangers of drowsy drivers. First, it is important to know that this is a widespread problem. In one study, 1 out of every 25 adults over 18 reported falling asleep at the wheel. This is only the people who admitted to doing this. The numbers are not guaranteed to show complete accuracy. Up to 6,000 fatal crashes a year occur due to drowsy drivers and their choices.
Why is drowsy driving dangerous?
So what makes drowsy driving so dangerous? The first factor is how it affects a driver. Drowsy driving is a form of distracted driving. To put that into perspective, texting while driving falls under this category as well. Issues seen in texting drivers are also seen in drowsy drivers. Drivers often cannot react to things in time. They do not notice dangers approaching. They cannot stop fast enough. They cannot avoid crash scenarios. Drowsy drivers often rear-end other cars because of this.
The second factor is the way society views it. Unlike drunk driving or texting while driving, many view drowsy driving as “normal”. Some people even brag about the distance they drive without enough sleep. Until the way society views drowsy driving changes, it will continue to pose a big risk on all drivers.
