AAA: Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk

Among the tickets that the bus driver handed in in an accident that injured 28 people on Route 490 in Chile on Thursday morning is one for tired driving.

News10NBC spoke with AAA on Thursday about how these types of crashes can happen and be avoided.

The National Highway Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving is the leading cause of more than 100,000 crashes each year, resulting in more than 71,000 injuries.

AAA’s Mark Gruba says sleep deprivation not only affects alertness and reaction speed, but also interferes with good decision-making – something he says is a must for anyone traveling on public roads.

“Drivers have a responsibility not only to themselves, but also to their passengers and other motor vehicles on the roadway. that they are fit to drive when they get behind the wheel,” says Gruba.

Gruba says driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as driving drunk, drugged or distracted.