Many people in the United States have more things to do than they have time to do them. Those without enough time to handle all of their responsibilities may not get enough sleep while juggling two jobs or full-time work and family responsibilities.
When they should sleep, they may feel like the only part of their schedule that has any flexibility, so they may get up early or stay up late to get more done. Then, while struggling with exhaustion the next day, they will re-energize themselves with a strong cup of coffee.
Unfortunately, running on caffeine is a dangerous habit, especially if someone drives while feeling tired. When they haven’t had enough sleep, those who get behind the wheel may exhibit signs of impairment, like increased reaction times and difficulty focusing. Even more alarming, they might fall asleep at the wheel. How often does that actually happen?
There is a crisis of exhaustion on the modern roads
A shocking number of people realize that they are too tired to drive safely, but they continue to do so anyway. According to self-reported driving data, one in 25 drivers admits to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the last 30 days. Some of those drivers may have fallen asleep multiple times while driving.
Obviously, a driver so exhausted that they can’t stay awake puts themselves and others at risk of a crash. Understanding the biggest risk factors on the road could help you avoid a collision or seek justice if someone hurts you in one.