Driver fatigue has become a headline topic in recent years as more and more people have become aware that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, as a recent CDC study reported by the New York Times shows, there are still a large number of people who drive when they are affected by fatigue.
However, new reports by Money News indicate that some of those who are driving drowsy may be getting the help they need to stop this dangerous practice. 
Our Queens injury attorneys are firm believers in the importance of educating the public about the dangers of drowsy driving and we are strong proponents of any and all efforts made to help curb the practice of drowsy driving. We hope that the new CDC study brings more attention to the widespread problem of drowsy driving and that the trend continues of more people getting help to sleep better at night and to be more awake behind the wheel.
Drowsy Driving Remains an Issue
While passing a law banning drowsy driving is an impractical impossibility, public education campaigns have been drawing attention to the dangers of drowsy driving. Despite efforts to curb the practice, however, a recent CDC study indicates that there are still many drivers- and especially young drivers- who are falling asleep as they drive.
As the New York Times reports, the recent CDC study involved a survey of 147,000 adults throughout the U.S. People from D.C. and as many as 19 other states responded to detailed questions about their work, their sleep patterns and their driving. Based on the results of this study, the CDC concluded:
- Men are the biggest culprits when it comes to drowsy driving and are more likely than woman to drive even if they are too tired to be safe.
- The young are bigger offenders than the elderly when it comes to drowsy driving. The rate of young drivers who reported falling asleep behind the wheel was significantly higher, with over 5 percent of those under 44 saying they’d fallen asleep as compared to only 1.7 percent of the 65+ survey respondents.
- When evaluating data provided by survey respondents in the aggregate, an average of 4.2 percent of the 147,000 adults surveyed reported that they’d fallen asleep behind the wheel at least one time in the 30 days immediately prior to completing the survey questions.
Assuming this 4.2 percent number is a representative sample of the population as a whole, this data indicates that there are millions out there who nod off while they are operating their vehicles.
Drowsy Drivers May be Looking for Solutions
The news that 4.2 percent of the population may be regularly nodding off while driving is not good news. However, there are some other recent trends indicating that people may be getting help for their sleep problems.
According to Money News, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine announced in December that they’d accredited their 2,500th sleep center. These clinics allow people to get treatment for various sleep disorders including insomnia. Fewer than half of all clinics in existence today were around just a decade ago, and the American Academy of Sleep medication indicates that there are more sleep centers than ever before.
Hopefully, everyone who finds themselves falling asleep behind the wheel as a result of ongoing sleep problems will be able to visit one of these new clinics or will otherwise be able to get the help they need to stop putting their lives and the lives of others at risk.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations to accident victims. Call 1-877-313-7673 to speak with someone about your case and to discuss your rights today!
Additional Resources:
NYC Traffic Safety: Tips for Biking and Walking in Winter, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, January 8, 2013.
