In Florida, many residents hit the road without getting enough sleep. This creates danger for everyone else on the road. So why do drivers keep driving without sleep? Why is drowsy driving still such a prominent issue?
Today we will examine the answer to this. We will take a look at the risks of drowsy driving. We will see why it is still so common in spite of these risks.
The prevalence of drowsy driving
Sleep Education discusses drowsy driving and its impact on driver safety. Many doctors who study sleep also study drowsy driving. This is because sleep disorders are a primary cause of drowsy driving. But there are many other reasons drivers hit the road without enough sleep. A big reason is because of the modern work environment. Drivers feel as though they do not have time to stop and rest. They do not get enough sleep at night before returning to work the next day. This is a work culture issue and part of the reason drowsy driving is common. Many workers are tired. They feel drowsy driving is unavoidable.
The risk of drowsy driving
This mentality contributes to some of the risk of drowsy driving. If people accept it as inevitable, they do not fight against it. They may even rationalize the risks they are taking. One study showed that 1 in 25 drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel in the last 30 days. This is a big number and phenomenal risk. Every drowsy driver faces the possibility of getting into a crash. Ignoring this chance only makes things more dangerous for everyone.
In conclusion, it is important for drivers to understand the real risk of drowsy driving. It is not a matter of not getting enough sleep. Just one drowsy road trip could end in a devastating crash.