As we’ve previously reported on South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, the state of Florida is committed to preventing drowsy driving-related car accidents in Pompano Beach and elsewhere. We told you about this condition and how it greatly increases your risk of an accident. Unfortunately, this is a condition that many drivers may not even be able to recognize. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation have previously teamed up to create Florida’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.
Now, the campaign is going nationwide. The National Sleep Foundation and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have recently partnered to support Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is ongoing all this week. These organizations are raising awareness among drivers across the country about the dangers of driving while drowsy or otherwise weary. This driving condition is more common on our roadways than you may think.
Our Pompano car accident attorneys urge you to learn more about how drowsy driving has become a problem that must be addressed. A recent study from AAA revealed that although more than 95 percent of drivers find drowsy driving as completely unacceptable, more than a third admits to doing it at least once in the last 30 days. These types of accidents kill roughly 1,550 people and injure another 71,000 every year. Drowsy drivers cause more than 100,000 traffic accidents annually.
“Many don’t realize that driving while drowsy is very dangerous. If you’re so tired that you can hardly keep your eyes open, you could fall asleep for just a few seconds and not realize it,” says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation.
AAA reports that about one out of every six traffic accidents is caused by a drowsy driver. About one out of every 10 drivers age 16 to 45 reportedly drive while drowsy at least once a week. Regardless of age, though, every driver can be subjected to this type of driving and should learn ways prevent it. With drowsy drivers on our roadways, innocent people are getting hurt.
Drowsy driving:
-Impairs vision.
-Slows reaction time.
-Causes lapses in judgment.
-Causes a delay in processing information.
Recent studies have concluded that being awake for 20 hours straight gives a driver the same reaction time as one who is legally drunk.
We are happy to help to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of this habit and ultimately get drivers to stop and rest if they feel sleepy at the wheel. Powering through fatigue may be one of the worst things a driver can do behind the wheel. Be sure to get plenty of sleep before venturing out, stop driving if you feel sleepy, and take frequent breaks to help stay as alert as possible. These accidents are completely preventable with a little education and awareness.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a drowsy driver in Pompano Beach or in any of the surrounding areas, contact our personal injury lawyers of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-529-2368.
More Blog Entries:
Car Accidents in Port St. Lucie and Elsewhere Cost About $300 Billion Annually, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, November 5, 2011
FHP Uses Operation Safe Driver Campaign to Help Reduce Bus and Truck Accidents in Tamarac and Elsewhere, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, October 16, 2011