There’s a dangerous driving habit on the rise: getting behind the wheel without getting proper rest. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers who sleep only five or six hours a night are twice as likely to get into an accident than drivers who sleep at least seven hours.
According to past research, about one-fifth of all fatal accidents in the United States involved a sleepy driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) data showed that 35,092 people were killed in car accidents in 2015.
The data in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey is derived from police-reported vehicle crashes in which one or more vehicles had to be towed from the accident scene and/or emergency medical personnel were contacted. Drivers in these accidents were asked how many hours they slept in the 24 hours leading up to the crash.
Many people in the U.S. just don’t get enough sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three American adults don’t get the sleep they need on a regular basis. Too little sleep can lead to trouble concentrating, delayed reaction time, poor judgment, delayed reaction time and other problems that can affect a person’s ability to drive.
Many people don’t make sleep a priority until something terrible happens. Take Cincinnati nurse Karen Roberts’ case, for example. After finishing and overnight shift at her job, she fell asleep driving, crossed the double line and caused an accident. Roberts said she was tired, but decided to drive anyway because she was close to home. The other driver had minor injuries while Roberts still struggles with medical problems related to the accident. Now the nurse makes sure to get plenty of sleep every night.
It’s recommended by experts to get enough sleep every night. If you get less than seven to eight hours a night and have to drive, you should look at your condition before getting in your car and attempt to take a nap.
If you have been injured because of a tired driver, you should set up a meeting with an experienced attorney such as the Personal Injury Lawyer locals trust today. He or she can evaluate your case and advise you the best way to proceed. You deserve to be compensated for everything you have been through. An experienced lawyer can improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.