Last year, more than 1,900 Californians were killed or injured in car crashes because they couldn't stay awake while driving. This year, at least three crashes in Los Angeles have been associated with falling asleep while driving, according to the Auto Club. Last March, two teenage girls were killed and two others were injured in Walnut when they lost control of their car while driving home from an all-night party.
Investigators suspect that the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Also in March, a truck driver believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel plowed into a California Highway Patrol officer who had stopped a suspected drunk driver along the Foothill Freeway. In April, a man died in a crash on the Antelope Valley Freeway after he apparently fell asleep at the wheel of his truck. Drivers should get a full night's rest or at least six hours of sleep before getting behind the wheel, because those who are even slightly tired may not be able to react to road danger. Use extra caution if you must drive during the early morning hours because this is the most dangerous time for drowsiness. This is the first time anyone has looked at real-world crashes to see what happens.