According to experts, waking up early could affect a person’s risk of getting injured in a car crash.
It is no surpise that waking up early could lead to fatigued driving, and waking up very early could lead to grogginess that can seriously impact a person’s ability to drive. Studies involving truck drivers have shown that truck collisions occur more often early in the morning and late at night, which is partly due to fatigued driving.
Teen Drivers and Sleep Patterns
Experts and researchers believe that waking early can have a particularly big impact on teenage drivers as hormonal and biological changes can bring changes in their sleep patterns. This means teens are more fatigued and biologically inclined to fall asleep and wake up later. However, when teenagers have to wake up early they tend to feel especially fatigued. If they are driving themselves to school, fatigued driving could be a serious problem.
Preventing Drowsy Driving
Many students have to start getting ready before 6 in the morning in order to reach school in time. This can lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue. Researchers believe that severe sleep loss can increase the risk of poor school performance, sports injuries, and traffic accidents. Severe sleep loss can also have long-term effects such as metabolic problems, heart problems, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Here are some tips to prevent car accidents caused by drowsy driving:
- Go to sleep earlier if you have to wake up early for school or work.
- Give yourself enough time to wake up fully in the morning before you get behind the wheel.
- If you often find yourself fatigued during the day, seek medical advice as it could be due to an underlying medical condition.
- Rely on carpooling or public transport in case you are feeling to tired or sleepy.
- Practice better time management.
- Get adequate rest. Do not push yourself too hard and try to eliminate all unnecessary tasks from your routine.
Danger of Drowsy Driving
Fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Fatigue and sleepiness affect cognitive function, ability to drive, and response time just as alcohol does. Fatigued drivers are more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel and lose control of their vehicle. Resulting accidents are often serious leading to severe injuries and even death.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, seek legal help from a Chicago car accident attorney. Call Willens Law Offices at (312) 957-4166. We will help you file a car accident claim and ensure that you get the rightful compensation.