Is lack of sleep the underlying cause for the fatal accident that killed comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair and seriously injured actor and comedian Tracy Morgan? Lack of sleep has been suggested in numerous media reports:
NBC Philadelphia reports:
"According to a criminal complaint, Kevin Roper, 35, had not slept for at least 24 hours when he slammed his big rig into the back of a limo bus carrying Morgan and six others, killing one and critically injuring several passengers."
The Dangers of Driving Sleepy
As the national debate continues over truck driver safety and reasonable periods in between rest or sleep, non-commercial or personal drivers still account for an estimated 1,550 annual deaths in the United States due to drowsy or tired driving.
The National Sleep Foundation reports the following (from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration):
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.
GO HERE to read more on the dangers and impact of drowsy or tired driving from the NHTSA.
Concerned about your own drowsy or tired driving? If you or someone you care about snores or is tired and fatigued during the day, sleep-disordered breathing (and sleep apnea) may be a serious risk. Get your sleep tested today by SleepSomatics, a professionally credentialed and accredited sleep test center located in Austin since 1999. Call 512.323.9253.
