Did you know that many traffic fatalities happen when most people are sleeping? More than forty thousand Americans lose their lives each year in car accidents, and half of these fatalities occur once the sun sets. There is sixty percent less traffic on the roadways at night, so why are the accident rates so high? Drowsiness Drowsy drivers can suffer lapses in attention, which often results in accidents that cause injuries or death. Most of these accidents happen within twenty-five miles of the driver’s home. Cell Phone Use Even though most.