Tired Driver Crashes

Recently The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that there are 56,000 sleep related road crashes annually in the USA, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities. Fatigue could be a contributing factor in twenty to twenty four percent of fatal crashes

Research suggests fatigue could be a contributing factor in twenty to twenty four percent of fatal crashes. A study conducted by the Adelaide Centre for Sleep Research shown that drivers who have been awake for 24 hours have an equivalent driving performance to a person who has a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.1 g/100ml, and is seven times more likely to be involved in a crash.

Driver fatigue is very dangerous. Morning and the middle of the afternoon are the peak times for fatigue accidents. Long journeys on monotonous roads have a greater likelihood of causing someone to fall asleep. Fatigue related crashes are often more severe than others because driver reaction times are delayed or they’ve failed to maneuver to avoid a crash. Symptoms of driver fatigue include heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, a drifting vehicle that wanders over road lines, varying vehicle speed for no reason, misjudging traffic situations, and seeing things "jump out" in the road, feeling fidgety or irritable and daydreaming.

What makes matters worse is that a fatigued driver can easily avoid a crash. It is inexcusable for them to put the public at risk by choosing not to get rest but rather to continue to drive. The DiCello Law Firm lawyers have experience holding fatigued drivers responsible. If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver that has fallen asleep at the wheel, The DiCello Law Firm lawyers can obtain the results you need.