The Seattle Times reported that, over the weekend, Cory Mackay, a 6-foot-4, 257-pound defensive end who had just completed his freshman year at Washington State University, was seriously injured in a one-vehicle accident after he apparently fell asleep at the wheel of a Nissan pickup truck. In a release, WSU said Mackay was in "stable" condition at Harborview Medical Center.
Driving while drowsy is every bit as dangerous as driving while drunk, insofar as sleepiness slows driver reaction time, decreases driver awareness, impairs judgment and increases aggressiveness. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsiness or fatigue is the principal cause of up to 100,000 police-reported passenger vehicle crashes every year, killing at least 1,500 people and injuring 71,000.
Edmunds offers 10 tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.
