Study shows drowsy driving is more dangerous than originally thought

AAA Auto Club researchers says they’ve just wrapped up the most in-depth drowsy driving study ever done in the United States.

Using video of drivers in the study, they found the percentage of crashes involving drowsiness is nearly eight times higher than federal estimates.

“It’s not scary when it happens. It’s scary when you stop and think about what happens,” said driver Art Ellis.

Ellis is from Tennessee and has lots of experience driving long distances in this RV.

“You know you’re tired, but you hate to admit it. Things get a little blurry, especially at night with the lights, Ellis said.

According to the most recent data available, in Florida, in 2016, there were more than 4,500 drowsy driving related crashes. In those crashes, 22 people were killed.”

Lt. Greg Bueno with Florida Highway Patrol says it’s a big problem in Southwest Florida, “It’s something we have to have zero tolerance for.”

AAA found that 9.5 percent of all crashes involved drowsiness in their study. Compared to federal estimates of only one to two percent of crashes.

“You just don’t stay in your lane as well as you should,” Ellis says. The best advice is to take regular breaks, and stop for a while to rest if needed.