The Hidden Epidemic of Drowsy Driving Accidents

It’s easy to spot a drunk driver or someone texting behind the wheel—but a drowsy driver may look perfectly normal until it’s too late. Each year, drowsy driving causes thousands of serious and fatal car accidents, yet it remains one of the most underreported and misunderstood dangers on the road. In fact, fatigue impairs driving ability in ways that are shockingly similar to alcohol—and the statistics surrounding drowsy driving are more alarming than most people realize.

In this blog post, we explore the prevalence of drowsy driving accidents, the warning signs, key findings from the traffic safety studies, and what victims of drowsy driving crashes can do to protect their rights.

What Is Drowsy Driving?

Drowsy driving occurs when a person operates a vehicle while fatigued, sleepy, or in a state of sleep deprivation. It may involve:

• Falling asleep at the wheel
• Nodding off for just a second (“microsleeps”)
• Having slower reaction times
• Impaired attention, judgment, or awareness

Drowsy driving is especially dangerous because many people don’t realize they’re too tired to drive safely. Unlike alcohol or drugs, there’s no breathalyzer or roadside test for fatigue.

Alarming Statistics on Drowsy Driving

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Estimates

• Drowsy driving caused 91,000 police-reported crashes in 2017 alone, including 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths.
• However, the NHTSA acknowledges that drowsiness is widely underreported—often because fatigue leaves no obvious evidence like alcohol or phone records.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: 2014 Study

One of the most comprehensive studies on drowsy driving came from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2014, which used in-depth crash data from the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey.

Key Findings:

• Drowsy drivers are involved in an estimated 21% of fatal crashes—far higher than official statistics indicate.
• The study found that drowsiness was a factor in 6% of all crashes and 13% of severe injury crashes.
• The crash risk doubles after just 5–6 hours of sleep, and quadruples for drivers who sleep less than 4 hours.

Additional Research

• A 2018 follow-up study by AAA using dashboard cameras found that 9.5% of all crashes involved drowsy driving, reinforcing how traditional police reports undercount these incidents.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1 in 25 adult drivers have fallen asleep while driving in the past 30 days.

Why Is Drowsy Driving So Dangerous?

Sleep deprivation severely impairs critical driving skills:

That means driving after 24 hours without sleep is more dangerous than driving legally drunk.

Fatigue Impacts:

• Slower reaction times
• Reduced attention span
• Poor decision-making
• Tunnel vision
• Microsleeps (lasting 1–2 seconds)

At highway speeds, a 2-second microsleep can send a car the length of a football field without driver input.

When and Where Drowsy Driving Crashes Happen

Drowsy driving crashes most often occur:

• Late at night (midnight to 6 a.m.)
• In the mid-afternoon (1–4 p.m.)
• On long, rural highways with low traffic
• During commutes or after shift work
• When driving alone

Who Is Most at Risk of Drowsy Driving Accidents?

Drowsy driving doesn’t just affect truckers or shift workers—it affects millions of people who drive tired, even after a long day or a short night.

High-Risk Groups:

• Young drivers (especially males under 26)
• Commercial drivers
• Shift workers and night workers
• People with untreated sleep apnea
• Drivers who travel long distances without rest
• Parents of young children

According to AAA, drivers who sleep fewer than 6 hours a night are twice as likely to crash as those who sleep 7 hours or more.

How Can Drivers Avoid Drowsy Driving?

Warning Signs of Fatigue

• Frequent yawning or blinking
• Drifting from lanes
• Hitting rumble strips
• Forgetting the last few miles driven
• Difficulty keeping eyes open

Prevention Tips

• Sleep at least 7–8 hours before driving
• Avoid long drives at night
• Take breaks every 2 hours or 100 miles
• Use rest stops or switch drivers
• Avoid alcohol and sedating medications
• Don’t rely on “tricks” like loud music or caffeine—they wear off quickly and leave you with false confidence

How to Prove Drowsy Driving in an Injury Case

Unlike drunk driving, drowsiness leaves no clear trace. However, an experienced Illinois car crash attorney can investigate the facts to build a strong case, using evidence like:

• Driver logs or work schedules
• Witness testimony of swerving or erratic driving
• Dashcam or traffic camera footage
• Cell phone and GPS data showing extended trips or lack of breaks
• Vehicle black box data (if available)
• Medical records indicating sleep disorders or medications

In Illinois, drowsy drivers who cause injury may be held liable under theories of negligence or even reckless conduct, depending on the facts.

Civil Liability and Compensation After a Drowsy Driving Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured by a fatigued driver in a car accident, you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages (if a loved one was killed)

What to Do After a Suspected Drowsy Driving Crash

1. Call 911 and report the crash
2. Seek immediate medical attention
3. Document the scene, including photos and witness statements
4. Request a police report and note any signs of fatigue
5. Do not accept a settlement before speaking to a lawyer
6. Consult a Naperville personal injury attorney with experience in drowsy driving claims

Drowsy Driving in Illinois: A Growing Concern

Illinois drivers are not immune from this nationwide epidemic. Whether it’s long-haul truckers crossing the I-80 corridor, late-shift workers on suburban roads, or young drivers returning home from parties, drowsy driving continues to threaten lives on our state’s highways and streets.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we represent victims of serious and fatal car crashes caused by negligent drivers—including those who were too tired to be behind the wheel. If you believe your injuries were caused by a drowsy or fatigued driver, we can investigate your claim, preserve critical evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Don’t Sleep on Your Rights—Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Car Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Drowsy driving is 100% preventable. When someone makes the reckless decision to drive tired and causes a crash, they must be held accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drowsy driving accident, don’t wait. Contact John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation. We serve clients in Naperville, St. Charles, Aurora, Chicago, and across Illinois, and we don’t get paid unless we win your case.

Call us at (630) 527-4177 or visit our website to schedule your free, no hassle case review.