Seemingly small choices that people make have major implications for road safety. Choosing to drive home immediately after a party instead of waiting to sober up could have devastating consequences. So could the decision to briefly check incoming text messages.
Getting behind the wheel while feeling fatigued is another serious safety concern. Many people don’t get enough sleep. When life starts to overwhelm them, rest is often the first sacrifice they make. Many adults do not get enough sleep to protect their health. Drowsy or fatigued driving is relatively common, and it is more dangerous than many people actually realize.
Drivers could doze off in traffic
Quite a few people admit to driving when they are too tired to be safe in traffic. Approximately 1 in 25 drivers admits to having fallen asleep at the wheel within the last 30 days.
Even if a driver isn’t at risk of falling asleep, their fatigue can affect their ability to control a vehicle. Exhausted drivers have longer reaction times. Fatigue compromises emotional regulation and decision-making capabilities.
When people are too tired to drive safely, they can cause preventable collisions that lead to injury or worse for others. Those harmed may have the option of requesting compensation from the driver at fault. Fatigued drivers are usually responsible for the crashes they cause, just like distracted or drunk drivers are also responsible for the consequences of their choices.
Those involved in motor vehicle collisions may need help proving who was at fault and looking into their options for compensation, and that’s okay. Insurance claims and even personal injury lawsuits can help people hold distracted drivers accountable.
