The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has some findings out about the link between daylight saving time and car crash risks. Most drivers in Tennessee know that experts recommend at least seven hours of sleep every day. If they miss one to two hours of rest within a 24-hour period, however, they will nearly double their risk for a crash once they get behind the wheel.
In fact, the level of impairment experienced by a driver who only slept five hours in the previous 24 hours is similar to that of a driver whose blood alcohol content is over the legal limit. Drinking caffeinated beverages and rolling down windows are only short-term tactics for staying awake.
AAA found in a survey that 95 percent of respondents understand the risks involved in drowsy driving. Yet some fail to do anything about it in themselves. Nearly three in 10 drivers admitted to driving at least once in the past month in a tired state where they had trouble keeping their eyes open.
The safety organization is reminding drivers to watch out for drowsiness warning signs, which include lane drifting, constant yawning and the inability to recall the past few miles. Drivers must adjust their sleep schedules prior to daylight saving time since sleep is the only remedy for fatigue.
Drowsy driving can be a form of neglect. If such a driver causes a motor vehicle crash, an injured victim may have good grounds for a personal injury claim. This is where a lawyer might come in handy. The attorney could hire investigators to gather proof of the other’s negligence before heading off to negotiations.