If you’re still struggling to adjust to the recent time change, you aren’t alone. Studies show that the roads become more dangerous in the days after time changes—especially in the spring. Losing one hour of sleep might not seem like a big deal, but for many people, it can disrupt their sleep schedules for weeks to come.
The beginning of Daylight-Saving Time isn’t the only cause of drowsiness in drivers across Tennessee, however. People are getting less and less sleep every year due to increased demands of their time and schedules—not to mention the growing usage of electronic devices before bedtime and in bed. Combine that with health problems that can interfere with sleep, including sleep apnea, and drowsy driving is becoming an epidemic in America.
It’s important to think of drowsy driving the same way you think of drunk driving. Buzzed drivers face many of the same risks as drunk drivers, even though they may feel more in control and alert. Drowsy drivers also may feel more in control that drivers who are falling asleep at the wheel, but they’re experiencing many dangerous symptoms of sleep deprivation, including reduced reaction times, impaired judgment, blurred vision, and more.
No matter how many steps you take to be a safe driver, you’re missing one of the most crucial preventive measures if you aren’t getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night. At Ponce Law, we recognize that sleep-deprived drivers everywhere in Tennessee, and when they cause crashes due to negligence, our Nashville auto accident lawyers work hard to hold them liable and get their victims maximum compensation.
Contact us if you or someone you love is injured in a crash caused by a careless driver this spring.