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Each year, fatigued or drowsy driving leads to numerous automobile accidents throughout Florida and all over the country. Due to the seriousness of the matter, Florida lawmakers chose the first week of September to increase drivers' awareness regarding drowsy driving by specifically marking it as "Drowsy Driving Prevention Week," which is observed on a yearly basis. Sadly, Fort Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey has worked with many victims and their families who have had to deal with the after-effects of accident damages and injuries stemming from incidents that took place with drowsy drivers. Depending on the facts of the case, accident victims and/or their families may be entitled to compensation. But it important for victims to work with well-versed attorneys to ensure that they obtain everything to which they are legally entitled.

The Harsh Reality About Drowsy Driving

The Florida Department of Transportation has found through its research that there are certain groups of drivers who are more at risk for driving while fatigued than others. For instance, individuals who work late shifts or irregular hours are more susceptible to the possibility of driving while drowsy. Likewise, commercial and/or long-haul truckers, business travelers suffering from jet-lag and younger drivers who are between 16 and 29 years of age are all more likely to be at risk for drowsy driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released data that shows that in 2010, 764 fatal accidents were caused by individuals who were operating motor vehicles while they were drowsy. In 2012, the number dropped slightly to 737 accident fatalities. Your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer knows that thousands of accidents that are the direct result of drowsy drivers happen on a yearly basis. In fact, the NHTSA has found that there are an estimated 100,000 collisions reported to law enforcement every year, and approximately 71,000 injuries have stemmed from those accidents.

The AAA Foundation conducted a study with a little over 1400 drivers back in 1999 that revealed some startling statistics. According to the study, only eight percent of drivers said they would stop to take a nap if they felt tired while driving, while fewer than 12 percent said they would stop driving if they felt tired. A number of other studies and polls have shown that about 37 percent of adult drivers admitted to nodding off or falling asleep at least once since they started driving. Also, polls showed that men are slightly more likely to drive while fatigued than  women. 

What Can Be Done to Avoid Driving While Drowsy?

The most obvious answer to the question would be for a driver to simply not get behind the wheel of a vehicle if he or she is tired. However, fatigue can sometimes creep up on drivers, particularly if they are driving for long periods of time. That said, if a driver feels tired, he or she should call a friend or a cab for a ride to their final destination. Similarly, business travelers who get back home and feel too tired to drive should choose to either catch a bus to their final destination (if possible,) or call a taxi and return to the airport at a later time to retrieve their vehicles.

If you have been injured in an accident that involved a drowsy driver, contact a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.