Drowsy driving crashes killed 5,000 people last year, report says

Claiming “a drowsy driver is an unsafe driver,” a new report reveals nodding off while driving causes one in five deadly crashes.

Drowsy driving crashes claimed about 5,000 lives last year, according to Governors Highway Safety Association’s report.

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The Governors Highway Safety Association says young adults are at the greatest risk; 50 percent of drowsy driving crashes involve drivers age 25 and younger.

A fix is simple: Drivers should get more sleep, the study suggests.

Doctors warn losing sleep for one night is just like being legally drunk, and it is not the time to get behind the wheel.

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Between 2012 and 2015, 4,700 crashes were investigated just in Washington state, where the driver either fell asleep or was tired behind the wheel.

Troopers recommend taking a break for every two hours or 100 miles on the road.

The report comes on the heels of last week's crash involving the frontman of Issaquah-based band "Modest Mouse.”

Police say the singer fell asleep behind the wheel last Wednesday in Portland -- and created a chain reaction crash that damaged four other cars.
 
Officials say he was not under the influence and no one was hurt. He got a ticket for careless driving.

Cox Media Group