Driving while drowsy: A 'silent killer' on the roads

One in every five U.S drivers admits to having fallen asleep behind the wheel — a problem that leads to nearly 1 in 5 fatal car crashes. What can be done?

Crash data from 1999-2008 revealed that sleepy drivers caused about 4,400 deadly accidents per year.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Driving while intoxicated gets most of the attention, but about one in every six fatal auto accidents in the U.S. is due to driving while drowsy, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Worse, it's something 41 percent of us admit to having done. "Just like alcohol and drugs, being very tired while you're driving decreases your awareness," says foundation president Peter Kissinger. "It slows your reaction time and it impairs your judgment." Here's a look at this "silent killer" responsible for thousands of deaths each year:

What counts as drowsy?

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us