Drowsy driving is also known as driver fatigue or tired driving, it is when a driver is struggling to stay awake, and their reaction time or ability to stay awake is impaired. Drowsy driving accounts for about 100,000 crashes annually, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities per year according to the National Safety Council. Drowsy driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Statistics
- About 27% of drivers report driving while being so tired, that they have difficulty keeping their eyes open
- 1 in 25 drivers admit to falling asleep behind the wheel
- 47% of those who have nodded off while driving did so on a trip lasting an hour or less
As a business owner or someone who is responsible for employees who are driving on company business, you should be aware of the effect that drowsy driving has on your employees. When an employee is in an accident in a company vehicle that is money coming out of the business revenue. The average car accident that causes no injury or death costs $8,900, when there is an injury, the average cost goes to $78,900, which will cause your premium to rise the following year. Here are some prevention tips on how to avoid drowsy driving.
- Get plenty of sleep, an average of 7 hours a night
- Beware of the side effects of the medicine you are taking
- Having a safety program in place, weekly, biweekly, or monthly safety meetings
- Open door communication, making sure employees aren’t rushed and can pull over
- If you are feeling drowsy, don’t be afraid to pull over and stretch your legs
- Never drink and drive