School has been back in session for Illinois schoolchildren for the past month or so, which means that students, parents, and teachers are beginning to settle into their academic schedules. That settling can take some effort, especially getting up early in the morning after enjoying those often more relaxed mornings of the summer months. Throw in homework, extracurricular activities, and sports, and it should come as no surprise that many families feel their energy levels drained, especially when it comes to being alert when they are behind the wheel. These hectic schedules can leave parents, high school students, and college students at a higher risk of being involved in a fatigued driving accident.
The following is a brief overview of some of the factors that back-to-school schedules have that families need to be aware of. If you have been injured in a crash, make sure to contact an Illinois car accident lawyer for legal help.
How Does Fatigue Affect Driving Abilities?
It is not uncommon for high school and college students to burn the candle at both ends. Between going to school, studying, part-time jobs, sports, and social activities; it is no wonder that many of these students suffer from lack of sleep. In one major survey, 24 percent of college students who participated said they felt tired or sleepy every day for the week preceding the survey. This means that many of these students are driving while fatigued.
It is not just students who are at risk of being involved in drowsy driving accidents. Parents of young schoolchildren may also be dealing with fatigue once school starts. Rushing in the mornings to get their children ready and off to school, going to work, coming home, and dealing with nighttime routines along with sports practice and games, lessons, and all the other activities that parents must juggle.
Multiple studies have confirmed that to function at a safe and healthy level, a person should be getting at least eight hours of sleep every night. Studies have also shown that when a person has been awake for more than 18 hours, the effects of that lack of sleep are like a person who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 – the same level that puts a person over the legal limit and results in a DUI charge.
Some of the effects that fatigue can have on a person’s ability to drive include:
- Poor judgment
- Increased risk of becoming distracted
- Increased reaction time
- Lack of coordination
- Issues with vision, including seeing double or blurred vision
Contact a Kendall County Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver, contact a Joliet, IL car accident attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have. Call Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC at 815-730-1977 for a free case evaluation.
