Drowsy driving is the known cause of many car accidents here in Orlando. A recently released study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows the alarming rates drivers are falling asleep at the wheel. Drowsy driving is playing a bigger role than originally estimated. In almost 10% of the car accidents examined, drowsy driving was a factor.

“As many Americans struggle to balance their busy schedules, missing a few hours of sleep each day can often seem harmless,” said Jake Nelson, director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research for AAA. “But missing just two to three hours of sleep can more than quadruple your risk for a crash, which is the equivalent of driving drunk.”

Studies show driving while you are sleepy impairs your judgement, decrease your actions time, and slows your awareness, similar to alcohol or even drugs. In fact, driving drunk and driving when very tired, have many similarities.

“Drowsy driving is a bigger traffic safety issue than federal estimates show,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Drivers who don’t get enough sleep are putting everyone on the road at risk.”

The number of auto accidents caused by drowsy driving is on the rise. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving drowsy has caused more car crashes, 72,000 in just one year, resulting in over 43,500 injuries and 800 deaths.

The state of Florida takes fatigued driving very seriously.  Florida Statutes Section 683.332 is named the Ronshay Dugans Act, after an 8 year old who died after her school bus was hit by a cement truck. It was reported the operator of the cement truck was driving recklessly because he was fatigued. The law hopes to raise awareness that drowsy driving is a major cause of car accidents.

If you were injured in a car accident in the Orlando area, possibly due to drowsy driving, contact attorney James P. Kelley to go over your options.  It is a free consultation.