Why are Teenagers at Such High Risk for Driving While Drowsy?

Drowsy driving is a serious problem in the United States. It’s a factor in 6 percent of crashes. Each year, approximately 328,000 crashes are caused by fatigued driving. That includes 109,000 crashes with injuries and 6,400 with fatalities. And teens are at a particularly high risk of being involved in a drowsy driving accident.

Drowsy Driving Risk Factors

According to the CDC, commercial drivers, shift workers, drivers who take medications that cause drowsiness, drivers with untreated sleep disorders, and drivers who don’t get enough sleep are the most at risk for drowsy driving. Although you won’t find many teens driving big rig trucks or working an overnight shift at the hospital, teens often fit squarely into the risk factor of drivers who don’t get enough sleep.

Teens are frequently short on sleep. In fact, more than 87 percent of high school students get far less than the recommended eight to 10 hours of sleep they need each night.
Often, teens don’t get enough sleep because their circadian rhythm shifts to a later sleep time, but they still need to make it to school early in the day. Pressure to complete assignments, participate in activities, and even work can exacerbate sleep difficulties for teens.
Teens who don’t get enough sleep can build up a sleep debt, which can make it even more difficult to stay awake and alert throughout the day. It’s even more dangerous at night.

What Happens on the Road When Teens are Too Sleepy to Drive

Although falling asleep at the wheel is particularly dangerous, drowsy driving is always risky. When you’re too sleepy to drive safely, your ability to drive is impaired, says the CDC.
Drowsiness makes it more difficult to pay attention to the road, slows reaction times, and affects a driver’s ability to make good decisions. Teens are particularly more likely to take risks while driving when sleep deprived.

Don’t wait to connect with one of our skilled, compassionate Seattle car accidnet injury lawyers. If you sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in a Seattle-area car accident, we want to help in any way we can. Contact Tatiana Boohoff and her colleagues at Boohoff Law or dial (877) 959-3826 to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

February 19, 2018
Boohoff Icon

Free Consultation

We Are Here For You 24/7

Reviews

stars
“Boohoff Law definitely stands behind integrity. Tatiana is not only a fantastic attorney in her expertise, she’s also down-to-earth – truly a people person.”
– Elissa M.
stars

“Really pleased with Boohoff Law! Received immediate responses when I had any questions. Treated amazingly by all staff … made this process a true breeze!”

– Caitlyn M.
stars
“Everyone here is so helpful. They jumped through every hoop necessary to get me the settlement I rightfully deserved. They made me feel right at home.”
– Brandy K.

Related Posts

​Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Was My Fault in Florida?

Car accidents are common in Florida and affect hundreds of people daily. They interrupt our lives and can cause serious injuries that result in medical bills, lost wages, and other financial hardships. Sometimes, responsibility for a car accident seems clear-cut. Perhaps you were hit by a drunk driver going above the speed limit, or you were T-boned […]

What Is the Average Medical Malpractice Settlement?

The average medical malpractice settlement in the U.S. is $348,065, according to the Medical Malpractice Report by the National Practitioner Data Bank. Collectively, plaintiffs received more than $4 billion in medical malpractice lawsuits—96.5 percent of medical malpractice cases end in settlements, while 3.5 percent result in court judgments. The Most Common Complaints in Medical Malpractice Claims The […]

Dealing With PTSD After a Car Accident

Worry that you suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident? While any type of car accident can lead to PTSD, the more severe the type of accident, the greater the likelihood of emotional trauma. After even a minor car accident, however, you may find yourself living with symptoms of PTSD. Your feelings are […]

Recovery is personal.

We recover millions for our clients every month, but we know that every case is different and that recovery is personal.
stars
“Boohoff Law definitely stands behind integrity. Tatiana is not only a fantastic attorney in her expertise, she’s also down-to-earth – truly a people person.”
– Elissa M.
% star rating
“Really pleased with Boohoff Law! Received immediate responses when I had any questions. Treated amazingly by all staff … made this process a true breeze!”
– Caitlyn M.
5 star rating
“Everyone here is so helpful. They jumped through every hoop necessary to get me the settlement I rightfully deserved. They made me feel right at home.”
– Brandy K.

You're better off with Boohoff.