We are all very aware of the dangers and repercussions of driving while intoxicated or distracted by cellphones or something else inside the car, but there is another killer on our roads that's doing just as much damage, if not more. The facts may surprise you.

 

FACT: 1 in 6 fatal car accidents in the U.S. are due to driving while drowsy, by comparison alcohol related accidents are 1 in 3.

FACT: Over 40% of all Americans admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel and/or that it wasn't a big deal and a quarter of us admit to doing so in the last month despite being unable to keep our eyes open before taking the wheel.

FACT: If you've had absolutely no sleep in the last 24 hours, you are as impaired as if you've downed six drinks and if you've been able to sneak in 4 hours of shut-eye or less in the same period, you're on a knife's edge of losing it while driving.

 

 

Just like DWI, the driver thinks that they're just fine and can handle it, but the aftermath speaks for itself. So, if you're like me trying to stick your head out the window or turn the music up or down those energy drinks, it all really doesn't work and if it weren't for those rumble strips, I may not be here writing to you today. So, the real fix here is to not jump in the car if you're tired or think you might become tired on the way home, but if you catch yourself losing it, pull over and sleep it off for a bit. Even a small nap can energize you!

By the way, you know that show Myth Busters? Well they decided to see if driving drowsy was worse than driving drunk and click the button below for their findings...

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