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Stress-related sleep problems and driving

On Behalf of | Aug 11, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Drivers need to remain vigilant at all times and those who do not get enough sleep at night are more likely to make critical errors behind the wheel. People lose sleep for countless reasons, but those facing high levels of stress are especially likely to miss out on the sleep they need.

If you are struggling with a lack of sleep, it is imperative to address this issue and stay off of the road if you are too tired to drive safely. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore this advice and some cause fatal accidents.

Reasons why drivers are stressed out

There are a lot of different reasons why drivers are stressed out and unable to sleep properly. Many people have lost their job and a lot of Americans are struggling with financial problems. Marital issues, such as getting a divorce and dealing with custody, also cause a lot of people to stay up at night. Stress in and of itself raises concerns with respect to driving abilities but it is especially dangerous when it causes people to miss out on the sleep they need when they drive the next day.

The consequences of sleep loss and driving

Drivers who are very tired are more likely to make various mistakes on the road, from driving too fast to running stop signs and red lights. When a driver is very drowsy, they are less likely to avoid or notice certain hazards and some even fall asleep while they are driving. This causes many injuries each year and a lot of lives are lost as well. If you were involved in a drowsy driving accident, carefully go over your legal options.