Does Drowsy Driving Cause Rochester Car Accidents?

While some drowsy drivers manage to avoid car accidents, they do contribute to many preventable vehicle crashes in Rochester. Interesting drowsy driving facts include:

Time of Day

Accidents involving sleepy drivers occur mostly in the morning and at night. Older drivers seem to have more drowsy driving crashes between noon and 3:00 pm. This may happen because seniors have trouble sleeping and often take naps in the afternoon to compensate.

Drowsiness Reduces Reflexes

Sleepy drivers could awaken at the last minute before hitting another car but reflexes are still “drowsy”. Consequently, they struggle to brake or swerve in time to avoid causing a serious car crash.

Drowsy Drivers Know They Should Not Be Driving

Sticking your head out the window, turning the volume up on the radio or drinking coffee are not proven safeguards against falling asleep at the wheel. If you know you are too sleepy to drive–don’t.

Chronically Drowsy Drivers May Have Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder causing people to suddenly fall asleep or “nod off” at odd times during the day. Symptoms of narcolepsy can include feeling tired all the time, cognitive issues and losing track of time.

Who is More Likely to be a Drowsy Driver?

The Centers for Disease Control report that drowsy drivers can be commercial/truck drivers, shift workers, and those taking medications that cause drowsiness.

Warning signs you are too sleepy to drive can include blinking and yawning frequently, difficulty remembering how far you have driven, missing exit ramps, drifting out of your lane and hitting “rumble” strips placed on the side of most interstate roads expressly for waking up drowsy drivers.

Drowsy drivers causing serious injuries to other drivers may be held liable for negligence. If you or a loved one is recovering from physical trauma due to being struck by a drowsy driver in Rochester, call William Mattar today to make an appointment with one of our car accident lawyers. You could qualify for compensation.