Drowsy driving is a serious concern for motorists in all places and of all ages. For anyone who suffers from a sleep disorder, the chances of drowsy driving are higher. With more than 25 million people in the U.S. suffering from sleep apnea, a new study shows that treatment can reduce the chances of a serious drowsy driving accident.

Research from the Cleveland Clinic shows that a particular treatment popular with sleep apnea patients can help to prevent accidents. The CPAP, or the continuous positive airway pressure machine, is often recommended for patients struggling to sleep through the night. According to a study completed at the clinic, patients who used their CPAP machine regularly were less likely to be in an accident.

Self-reported questionnaires were used to look at the experiences of more than 2,000 individuals suffering from sleep apnea. The purpose of the CPAP machine is to increase the air pressure in a patient’s throat. In an ideal situation, this stops the airway from collapsing and allows the patient to sleep through the night better.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that can be treated with the help of a doctor, but general drowsiness or other medical conditions can increase a person’s chance of serious drowsy driving incidents.

Many of the drowsy driving accidents on San Diego’s roads could be prevented. If you feel tired when behind the wheel, take some time to stretch your legs or take a nap at a rest stop. It’s never worth the risk to operate a car while tired. All it takes is falling asleep for a couple of seconds to cause a catastrophic accident.

Have you or someone you know already been injured in an accident caused by drowsy driving? If so, you may have major medical bills and injuries that have impacted your life in a big way. Contacting an experienced lawyer is the first step towards being able to recover the compensation you need to move on with your life.