There are many reasons that a car accident could occur on Pennsylvania roads. A fair amount of those reasons have to do with the behavior of the individual behind the wheel of the vehicle. While distracted and drunken driving gets a lot of attention there is another issue that according to a recent report plagues many drivers. The issue is driving while sleepy.

The report, completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicates that somewhere between 15 and 33 percent of motor vehicle accidents that result in death are due to drivers who are too tired to drive. The statistics were arrived at after more than 147,000 people, living throughout the nation, were surveyed. The survey also determined that one in every 24 respondents reported nodding off while operating a vehicle in the previous month alone.

According to one sleep expert there are a couple of issues that arise as a result of being tired. In addition making an individual more likely to respond impulsively, an individual's reaction time is also affected in a negative manner. Someone who has not had enough sleep will physically respond more slowly.

Both of these issues can lead to car accident situations. The impulsiveness is tied to incidents such as road rage and aggressive driving. A slowed reaction time could mean that a driver is unable to stop a vehicle in time to avoid a collision.

As is the case with drunk driving and distracted driving, drowsy driving can be avoided. An individual can choose to not get behind the wheel and either get more sleep or find someone else to provide transportation.

Source: CNN, "1 in 24 report driving while drowsy," Jacque Wilson, Jan. 4, 2013

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