“Drowsy Driving” Another Form of Distracted Driving

So you’ve headed all the warnings about distracted driving. You’ve put away your cell phone, ignored the radio dial, ate before you got in the car, and asked all your passengers to simmer down.

You are ready to be the safest driver you can be…right?

Well, the answer may hinge on one seemingly silly question. Are you getting enough sleep?

That’s right. If you are over tired, all the distracted driving precautions in the world won’t be able to help you keep your eyes on the road.

Sleep deprived driving, also known as drowsy driving is becoming a major problem on U.S. roads and highways. The National Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 60% of adults reported driving while drowsy in the last year and one in six fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver. What’s more, research has shown that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Here is an infographic highlighting some of the alarming drowsy driving statistics, research, and prevention tips.