NRSF: Drowsy Driving as Dangerous as Drunk Driving

With daylight savings time ending yesterday comes the increased likelihood of driving drowsy while driving in early morning darkness, according to the National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. (NRSF).

“Drowsy driving is a significant cause of traffic crashes,” says David Reich of the NRSF, “with fatigue considered a factor in more than 100,000 crashes every year.”

Drowsy driving crashes account for 1500 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in losses each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the NRSF, a sleep-induced crash involves a serious injury, takes place on a high speed road, with a vehicle that veers off the road, with a driver that doesn’t take evasive action.

“In terms of the risk of serious injury or death to the driver and passengers, drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving,” Reich said.

Source: National Road Safety Foundation