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Microsleep at the wheel: Minor crash on the B85 near Cham!
Traffic accident on July 2, 2025 on the B85 near Cham, caused by microsleep. One driver was slightly injured.
Microsleep at the wheel: Minor crash on the B85 near Cham!
On Monday morning there was a traffic accident on the B85 near Cham, which was mainly caused by microsleep. As early as 9:25 a.m., a 53-year-old driver of a VW Crafter crossed into the oncoming lane in the construction site area and hit an oncoming Fiat motorhome. This incident occurred between the Cham-Süd and Cham-West junctions, and fortunately the person who caused the accident was uninjured, while the 65-year-old driver of the motorhome suffered minor injuries. According to estimates, the material damage is around 1000 euros. The police banned the driver from continuing to drive and initiated proceedings on suspicion of endangering road traffic due to physical defects. [Mittelbayerische](https://www.mittelbayerische.de/lokales/landkreis-cham/sekunden Schlaf-am-steuer-einanderstoss-auf-der-b85-bei-cham-endet-glimpflich-18975995) reports that this case is an example of an often underestimated danger in road traffic.
A microsleep, as occurred in this case, describes the involuntary dozing off while driving - and can have fatal consequences. According to the experts on [Bussgeldkatalog](https://www.bussgeldkatalog.de/sekunden Schlaf-unfall/), microsleep is responsible for around 25% of fatal accidents on motorways. Professional drivers who often drive long distances at a time are particularly at risk. Warning signs such as yawning or heavy eyelids should definitely be taken seriously. Of course, a microsleep can also have legal consequences, such as fines or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the incident.
Causes and consequences of microsleep
There are many reasons for microsleep: overtiredness, lack of breaks and certain medications can be dangerous. External factors such as monotonous routes and sleep disorders such as sleep apnea also contribute to driver fatigue. The German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine explains that fatigue is similar to a driver's reactions to the effects of alcohol. After 17 hours without sleep, the ability to react can drop dangerously within a few seconds - comparable to a blood alcohol content of 0.5 per mille. It is therefore advisable not to get behind the wheel after a long day, according to [TÜV NORD](https://www.tuev-nord-group.com/de/sekunden Schlaf-eine-unterschaetzte-fähr/), drivers who have been awake since early in the morning should stop driving after 11 p.m. at the latest.
To minimize the risk of microsleep, there are some simple tips: Regular breaks are a must, and a short 15 to 20 minute nap can work wonders. In addition, the use of drowsiness warning devices will be introduced in new vehicles, which are intended to encourage people to take breaks by analyzing steering deviations. But the best preparation is getting enough sleep. In any case, fatigue is a serious danger on the road.