Driving under the influence is not the only way someone can dangerously operate a motor vehicle. There is a new study that shows that drowsy driving, where those behind the wheel are too tired to safely operate a vehicle, is much more widespread than previously estimated. Researchers have found that tired drivers are responsible for roughly 1 out of every 10 crashes. AAA reached that conclusion after researchers monitored the driving habits of more than 3,500 people for several months. Using dashboard cameras and other equipment, the researchers tracked drivers around the United States between October 2010 and December 2013.
Those 3,500 drivers were involved in more than 700 crashes. Drowsiness was determined to be a factor in approximately 9.5 percent of those accidents. In addition, more than 10 percent of the accidents that resulted in either property damage, airbag deployment or injury involved tired drivers. The percentages are far higher than what the federal government had previously estimated as the impact of drowsy driving, which it put at 1 to 2 percent of all vehicle crashes. These results also come at a time when researchers in many fields are examining the impact of Americans failing to get enough sleep. A recent survey by the AAA foundation found that 29 percent of those questioned admitted to driving, at some point in the past month, when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Massachusetts car accident, the best thing you can do to protect your rights is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer expert or one of our auto accident attorney specialists at the Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates by phone at 617-787-3700 or by email at info@gilhoylaw.com for your free and confidential case consultation. Your needs are our top priority!
