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Drowsy driving is very dangerous, and the statistics are alarming:

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that an estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days of a CDC survey.
• Drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013 (latest available data), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“The National Sleep Foundation takes this issue very seriously and has developed a Drowsy Driving Quiz to assist drivers in knowing their susceptibility for becoming a victim of drowsy driving. We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. would like to share this quiz with you in an effort to reduce drowsy-driving accidents,” said Cape Coral Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey. “Just answer True or False for each of the following statements. The answers to these questions may save your life or the lives of others.”

1. There is no relationship between one’s sleep and work schedule and risk of being involved in a drowsy-driving crash. (True or False)

Studies have found a direct correlation between the number of hours people work and their risk of being in a drowsy-driving crash. People who work more than one job where their primary job involves an atypical schedule are twice as likely to be involved in a sleep-related crash when compared to people in non-sleep related crashes. Answer: FALSE.

2. Working the night shift does not affect one’s chances of being involved in a sleep-related crash. (True or False)

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, working the night shift increases a person’s risk of being involved in a drowsy-driving crash by nearly six times. Answer: FALSE.

3. The largest at-risk group for sleep-related crashes is commercial drivers. (True or False)

Sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night. One study found that in 55 percent of sleep-related crashes, drivers were age 25 years or younger and were predominantly men. Another study found almost one-third of commercial drivers have some degree of sleep apnea. Answer: FALSE.

4. Overall, sleep-related crashes have certain characteristics that set them apart from other types of crashes. (True or False)

Research has provided a good picture of the common characteristics of drowsy-driving crashes, which tend to occur at night or in mid-afternoon, involve a single vehicle running off the roadway, lack any evidence of braking, and involve a young male driving alone. Answer: TRUE.

5. People with a sleep and breathing disorder, called obstructive sleep apnea, have about the same risk as the rest of the general population of being involved in a drowsy-driving crash. (True or False)

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s airway collapses many times to halt breathing until the person briefly awakens. The most common signs of sleep apnea are loud, irregular snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Studies indicate that persons with untreated sleep apnea have two to seven times more crashes than people without the disorder. Studies also show that once treated, most patients can be safe drivers once again. Answer: FALSE.

6. Eating a big lunch tends to make everyone sleep. (True or False)

Things such as heavy meals, warm rooms, and long drives only unmask the presence of sleep deprivation or sleep debt; they do not cause sleepiness. Answer: FALSE.

7. People can usually tell when they are going to fall asleep. (True or False)

Sleep is not voluntary. If you’re tired, you can fall asleep and never know it. When you’re driving at 60 miles per hour and fall asleep for a few seconds (a microsleep), you can travel up to the length of a football field without any control of your vehicle. Answer: FALSE.

8. Drivers in drowsy-driving crashes are more likely to report sleep problems. (True or False)

According to studies, drivers in fatigue-related crashes were more likely to report problems sleeping prior to a crash than drivers in other non-sleep crashes. Answer: TRUE.

9. Rolling down a window or singing along with the radio while driving will help keep someone awake. (True or False)

An open window or music has no lasting effect on a person’s ability to stay awake. In fact, they may mask the person’s lack of alertness further. Answer: FALSE.

10. Wandering, disconnected thoughts are a warning sign of driver fatigue. (True or False)

If you are driving and your thoughts begin to wander, it is time to pull over and take a short nap, consume some caffeine, or stop driving for the day. Answer: TRUE.

11. You can stockpile sleep on the weekends to avoid being sleepy during the week. (True or False)

Sleep is not money. You can’t store up sleep to borrow it later on. But, just as with money, you can go into debt. Answer: FALSE.

12. I’m a safe driver so it doesn’t matter if I’m sleepy. (True or False)

The only safe driver is an alert driver. Even the safest drivers become confused and use poor judgment when they are sleepy. In addition, alcohol makes fatigue much worse. One drink has the same effect on a tired driver as four or five drinks for a well-rested person. Answer: FALSE.

“Should you or a loved one be injured in a vehicle accident, our experienced team is available to assist you. Please contact us 24/7. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Attorney Spivey.

Cape Coral Car Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.