Among the most preventable types of auto accidents in Augusta, Georgia, are the ones caused by drowsy driving. Yet, these accidents are also among the most common, with 20% of all fatal auto accidents in the United States being attributed to this behavior. These accidents are also frequently the most alarming and severe in terms of injuries, because the drowsy driver isn’t conscious enough to do anything to stop it or minimize the damage. Others on the road are caught off guard when they see a vehicle traveling at full speed in the wrong direction, right towards them. They are similarly stunned when they witness a vehicle running right through a red light at an intersection or failing to even slow down when vehicles in front of them stop. The survivors of such accidents are left confused and baffled by what they witnessed before the accident and the substantial amount of damage that they are now facing because of it. Finding out that your auto accident was caused by a drowsy driver can be upsetting, because you know that it was completely preventable.
Bringing Awareness to the Statistics of Distracted Driving Auto Accidents
You may have been surprised to learn that as much as 20% of all fatal auto accidents in the US were caused by drowsy driving. There are still more statistics that you may not be aware of, and this lack of awareness is exactly what we need to confront to make changes on Augusta, Georgia, roads.
Following are some of the facts and statistics from 2016 that you might not be aware of, concerning drowsy driving in the United States.
- More than 325K auto accidents were caused by drowsy drivers.
- 109K people were seriously injured by drowsy drivers.
- 6,400 people were killed by drowsy drivers.
- Drowsy drivers are just as impaired as drunk drivers.
- Those who miss three to four hours of sleep are twice as likely to cause an accident.
- To be safe, drivers need to get seven to nine hours of sleep.
- 35% of drivers do not get seven to nine hours of sleep.
- Over 10% of drivers get less than five hours of sleep.
- Getting less than five hours of sleep makes you 330% more likely to cause an accident.
What You Can Do to Prevent Drowsy Driving Auto Accidents in Augusta, Georgia
If you are at risk of causing a drowsy driving auto accident because you don’t get enough sleep or because you work odd hours, then you can make a change to improve your safety on the road. Make an effort to get more sleep, adjust your work hours, or start traveling with others in a car pool. You may need to make arrangements for someone else to give you a ride to or from work, depending on when you are most drowsy. Maintaining a normal sleep schedule is important for Augusta, Georgia drivers.
Drowsy Driving Impairs You As Much as Drunk Driving Does on the Road
In the same way that drunk driving causes significant impairment of various functions on the road, drowsy driving impairs you to the point where you are a risk to others. Falling asleep obviously impairs everything that you need to drive safely, because you are unconscious. Yet, you are also at risk when you do not fall asleep while driving in a drowsy state. Just being sleepy is enough to impair your judgment, to impair your response times, and to impair your ability to stay in your lane and stay focused. It is important for all Augusta, Georgia, drivers to be aware of this in order to put a stop to these high statistics with the some of the most traumatic, devastating, and preventable accidents.
The Georgia Governor’s Highway Safety Association is Working to Stop Drowsy Driving
It is not practical or possible to simply outlaw drowsy driving. How would you prove that the driver was drowsy, that they fell asleep, that their judgment was impaired? How would you prove whether or not the driver got enough sleep the night before? It is far more sensible to focus on educating Georgia drivers about the risks of drowsy driving and possible solutions to the problem. That is exactly what the Georgia Governor’s Highway Safety Association is trying to do. The National Road Safety Foundation is also working to educate drivers, and they have awarded a $100K grant to many states, including Georgia in this effort. That money is being used to fund drowsy driving prevention efforts.
You Can Work to Stop Drowsy Driving Auto Accidents in Augusta, Georgia
If you’re wondering what you can do to prevent drowsy driving auto accidents in Augusta, Georgia, there is plenty of advice and information available for you to work with. Following are some practical steps that you can take to keep the roads safe from drowsy driving:
- Get enough sleep at night, and encourage others to do the same.
- Talk to your friends and family who are at risk for drowsy driving auto accidents.
- Recognize when you are too drowsy to drive, and pull over.
- Have a plan in place for what you can do when you are too drowsy to drive.
- Know who you can call to pick you up or find a safe place to take a nap.
- Consider car pooling with others or finding other transportation.
Indications that you are too drowsy to drive include feeling like your eyes are heavy or burning, yawning a lot, and feelings of exhaustion. If you notice these symptoms, then you can respond appropriately.
What To Do After an Augusta, Georgia, Drowsy Driving Auto Accident
If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a drowsy driving auto accident in Augusta, Georgia, then you need to contact an attorney to learn about your rights and options. The determined auto accident attorneys in Augusta at Ted A. Greve & Associates are here to help. Call for a free consultation today.
