Drowsiness and fatigue are principal factors in about 100,000 police-reported crashes annually. Is this statement True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Cannot be determined
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

Drowsy driving is a major factor in crashes because fatigue impairs attention, slows reaction times, and can trigger brief lapses in consciousness known as micro-sleeps. That means a driver who is tired is less able to notice hazards, slower to respond to a changing situation, and more likely to make errors behind the wheel. Safety data in the United States consistently cite about 100,000 police-reported crashes each year where drowsiness or fatigue is a contributing factor. These figures come from analyzing crash reports and identifying fatigue as a contributing factor, which provides a reasonable, commonly referenced estimate of the impact of fatigue on driving. While numbers can vary year to year and depend on how crashes are reported, the statement reflects a well-established finding that fatigue is a principal driver of a large number of crashes.