1 in 24 U.S. Adults Admit to Falling Asleep While Driving
According to a recent article in the San Antonio Express-News, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a new study on drowsy driving by U.S. adults. In its survey of 147,000 adults in 2009 and 2010, the CDC found that 1 in 24 adults admitted to falling asleep while driving in the past month. Health officials acknowledge that the numbers are probably even higher, as some adults may not even realize that they have fallen asleep while driving. Essentially, the study proved the legitimacy of earlier but much smaller studies indicating that more than four percent of adults had fallen asleep while driving in the past month. The CDC study also examined some of the demographic trends associated with drowsy driving. The survey results indicated that men were more likely to drive while drowsy than women, and people between the ages of 25 and 34 were the group most likely to fall asleep while driving. In many respects, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as any other type of distracted driving, and can easily result in accidents leading to injuries and even fatalities. Therefore, drivers should take care to avoid driving when they are tired, have not had sufficient sleep, have taken medication that could make them sleepy, or are otherwise at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. By avoiding drowsy driving, drivers can help prevent injuries, both to themselves and to others. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident that involves drowsy driving, or results from any other type of negligent behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and medical expenses. Contact your New Braunfels, Texas personal injury attorney today and let us provide you with a free evaluation of your case.
