Estimates are that at least one out of three people who work a job in this country are dealing with sleep deprivation. The number of people going about their days on inadequate sleep may well be higher in New York City. Many of its residents work long hours and have long commutes to and from home.
While sleep deprivation is a serious health and safety issue on a number of levels, it is in particular a problem on the area’s roads. Statistics suggest that as many as 1 in 5 deadly accidents involve at least one fatigued driver.
The person who is in the best place to prevent a tragedy due to fatigued driving is the driver who has not gotten enough sleep. Some studies suggest that someone who is 2 hours down on his or her minimum sleep drives like someone who has consumed 3 beers.
Of course, the problem gets more serious the less sleep a person behind the wheel has. In short, a sleep-deprived motorist will drive a lot like a motorist who is close to or even has exceeded the legal alcohol limit.
No matter what time pressures are on them, New York drivers need to avoid driving when tired, even if that means having to pull over for a short nap.
Fatigued drivers can be held legally accountable for their actions
Drivers who are not willing to pull over when tired are putting themselves and others at risk of a serious injury. If they cause an accident, then their victims may be able to pursue compensation in a legal action. Compensation may be for lost wages, medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.