Reducing teen drowsy driving accidents

On Behalf of Holmes & Wiseley, P.C.

Teens are the most inexperienced Michigan drivers and are at a much greater risk of being involved in accidents. Some teenagers have accidents early in the morning when they are driving to school. A recent study suggests that changing school starting times may help reduce the number of accidents involving teenage drivers.

Drowsy driving and school start times

Teenagers who attend high schools with early start times may have a higher risk of getting into car accidents during their drive to school. A recent study that looked at accident rates in the metropolitan Denver, Colorado, area compared data from a county that changed its start time to others that did not. The researchers found that the accident rates in the county with later start times were significantly reduced as compared to those that did not change their start times.

Since adolescents are still growing, they need to get enough sleep. Changing the start time at schools from early in the morning to later may help teenagers get enough sleep so they are less inclined to drive while drowsy and cause motor vehicle accidents.

Drowsy driving is dangerous and can cause drivers to have slowed reaction times or fall asleep behind the wheel. Regardless of their age, all people should make sure that they get enough sleep each night so that they will not be fatigued or drowsy during the day.

Getting enough sleep can help teens and adults remain alert while they are driving so it is less likely they will cause collisions with other motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists. People who sustain serious injuries in an auto accident with a drowsy driver may be entitled to pursue compensation for their losses by filing a claim against the responsible driver.

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