There is often little said about the problem of drowsy driving, but this is a serious problem on the road. This negligent act can arise because of medical conditions, people lacking sleep, or a combination of both. It can lead to significant crashes and even more devastating injuries.

But do people really fall asleep at the wheel? Newer stats show just how often it does happen. Even worse, while some issues stem from medical conditions, there are far too many situations that arise when people just make the decision to drive when they’re too tired. We’ll explain just how often this situation occurs and why it happens.

How Often Does It Happen?

While it’s not a direct indicator of people falling asleep at the wheel, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety did a recent study that showed roughly 29% of people surveyed admitted to driving while they were so tired that they had trouble keeping their eyes open.

The study showed that just two or three hours of missing sleep can increase the potential risk of a crash by over four times, making it as dangerous as drunk driving.

Why Does It Happen?

Recognizing the reasons for drowsy driving can play a large role in preventing crashes from occurring. People must take precaution from driving fatigued is vital to avoiding significant injuries from occurring. Some of the most common causes of drowsy driving include the following:

  • Lack of sleep: As mentioned above, the lack of sleep can cause significant cognitive and sensory problems. It makes it hard to keep your eyes open and even a few seconds can lead to a severe crash.
  • Drinking: Consuming alcohol can lead to fatigue as well, even in smaller amounts. As drinking can already disable much of your motor function, the more fatigue it makes you, the more dangerous it is.
  • Medical conditions: When someone has certain medical conditions, it can cause random and sudden drowsiness or falling asleep at the wheel. Those who have been diagnosed with a specific condition should not be able to drive because of the risks. If they do, they are negligent.

At Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices, we are here to help you if someone causes you harm. Our New York car accident lawyers go above and beyond to safeguard your best interests during such difficult times. We’ll go through the necessary steps to build a strong case on your behalf.

Call us today at (718) 690-3132 if you’ve suffered an injury due to negligence.