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Driving while tired, also known as drowsy driving, can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Sleep deprivation can have effects similar to having had alcohol. Driving after not having slept for 24 hours can be the same as driving with a blood-alcohol level of .10%. As many as 1 in 25 adult drivers have reported falling asleep while driving at least once in the past 30 days. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving was responsible for some 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries and 800 deaths in 2013. Anyone can fall victim to drowsy driving, as WGXA reports on a Putnam deputy who fell asleep while driving, leading to an accident.
Authorities at the Georgia Department of Public Safety say that drowsy driving is responsible for a Putnam County deputy being involved in an accident.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling on North Jefferson Street in Eatonton on Saturday around on Friday, December 28th.
An SUV was stopped at the intersection of North Jefferson Street and Willie Bailey Street, waiting to be able to turn left onto Willie Bailey Street. The deputy crossed the centerline, struck the SUV head-on in the southbound left turning lane on Jefferson Street.
According to the report, the deputy did not have any memory of the minutes just prior to the accident. However, he did remember patrolling the area prior to the accident.
The deputy contacted dispatch to report the wreck and complained that the airbag deploying hurt his face. However, the deputy was unable to advise dispatch of his location. The deputy was treated for injuries and released from Putnam General Hospital.
Police said that the driver of the SUV was able to give a better recounting of the accident. They also noted that the deputy appeared confused and “out of it” for a short time.
The deputy suffered from a concussion but was back at work a few days following the accident.
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