Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Risks of Drowsy Driving
February 18, 2017We all know that getting behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol is never a good idea. Drunk driving is responsible for too many serious injuries and fatalities, and groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) fight hard to discourage people – especially underage individuals – from drinking and driving. However, what many people do not realize is that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. In fact, according to a study by AAA, people who have only slept five or six hours are twice as likely to be in a car accident compared to drivers who sleep seven hours or more per night.
The study results also show that the crash rate increases as the amount of sleep the driver gets decreases. For example, drivers who only slept four hours were four times as likely to crash than those who slept at least seven. Drivers who sleep under four hours are almost 12 times more likely to crash. Other studies indicate that approximately 20 percent of fatal wrecks across the country involve a drowsy driver, which translates to close to 35,100 people.
Unfortunately, too many Americans – more than one in three – do not get the recommended amount of sleep on a regular basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And AAA found that one in three people surveyed said that, at least once in the past month, they drove even though they were so tired they could barely stay awake.
Raising Awareness is an Important First Step
Jake Nelson, director for traffic safety, advocacy, and research at AAA, commented that people are not aware that driving while drowsy is dangerous, particularly teenagers and older adults who tend to get fewer hours of sleep per night compared to other drivers. Unfortunately, the issue does not get the attention that it deserves, especially when you compare it to drunk driving or texting while driving.
One tragic example of how dangerous drowsy driving can be is the story of an 18-year-old boy, a few months away from graduating high school, who fell asleep at the wheel, lost control of the car, and was fatally injured after the car flipped and hit a tree. According to the boy’s family, he had only been sleeping four to six hours a night. The boy’s mother commented that this is not an issue that anyone is talking about, which especially needs to be circulated to young adults.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Drowsy Driving Accidents
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident involving a drowsy driver, you may be eligible for compensation. The experienced, dedicated Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have a proven track record of reaching successful settlements for victims of car accidents. We are committed to protecting your rights and will work hard to secure the financial compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.