Drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States, and significant research devoted to this issue has indicated that the problem is only getting worse. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 100,000 police-reported accidents directly caused by driver fatigue in the United States, resulting in more than 70,000 injuries and more than $12 billion in losses. If you have suffered injuries in a Tennessee motor vehicle accident that you believe was caused by a drowsy driver, contact our knowledgeable attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates for legal help. Our legal team has extensive experience protecting the rights of car accident victims throughout the state, and will work to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
“Drowsy driving is a significant problem and it is growing,” says Dr. Anne Wheaton of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to a study conducted by the agency, as many as 5,000 to 6,000 fatal traffic accidents are likely caused by drowsy drivers every year. “It is an unrecognized problem,” says Wheaton. “It is a dangerous issue that most people take for granted.” What many people don’t realize is that someone who stays awake for 18 consecutive hours experiences similar symptoms as someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.5%. “If a person has been awake longer, say someone who has pulled an all-nighter, impairment is equivalent to an alcohol content of .10,” said Wheaton. “That’s higher than the legal limit in all states.”
According to Wheaton, the best way to prevent tragic accidents caused by drowsy driving is to be aware of the warning signs. “Yawning or blinking (your eyes) frequently, missing an exit, drifting from your lane or having difficulty remembering the past few miles are all signs of drowsy driving,” she said. “The rumble strips on the sides of the roads are there for a reason, to wake you up. If you are continuing to hit those, you need to stop driving.” Unfortunately, there are many drivers who don’t understand or even think about the dangers of driving drowsy, and those are the people putting themselves and other Tennessee drivers at risk. If you have been injured in a car accident in Tennessee potentially caused by driver fatigue, consult our reputable lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options.
Source: http://timesdaily.com/stories/Asleep-at-the-wheel,206073