Drivers in Colorado often get behind the wheel without enough sleep. Compared to driving under the influence, this may seem like a low-risk decision. However, studies have shown otherwise. According to the AAA Foundation, drivers are at higher risk of causing a crash when they routinely get too little sleep or even an hour less than usual.
Healthy adults need seven to nine hours of rest every day to stay healthy and avoid the hazards of drowsy driving. Sleep deprivation slows the reflexes that help to keep drivers safe. It also leads to difficulty focusing and decreased accuracy. In fact, drowsy drivers are responsible for up to 21% of fatal accidents in America. Drivers who got less than four hours of sleep are especially dangerous.
According to the CDC, in a survey, 1 in 25 people aged 17 or older reported falling asleep at the wheel in the 30 days prior to responding. The drivers most likely to fall asleep at the wheel include the following:
To protect themselves and others on the road, people need to pay attention to their own driving habits to determine when they are too tired to drive. Yawning and frequent blinking are early signs. When drivers find it difficult to stay in their lane or begin to drive onto the rumble strip, it may already be too late. Whenever possible, it is almost always better to pull over and get some rest.
Contact Beem & Isley today at (303) 894-8100 to speak with a member of our Denver accident law team.
