Arizona’s 3TV News Now team recently offered a special report on the growing problem of drowsy driving. In the report, 3TV shared some startling data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This U.S. data shows that close to 100,000 car crashes a year are caused by drowsy driving. Those crashes result in 71,000 serious injuries and 1,500 deaths a year. The total monetary losses caused by drowsy driving crashes total over $12 billion.
Why Drowsy Driving is a Growing Problem in Phoenix
One of the main reasons that drowsy driving is a growing problem in Phoenix and the rest of the country is that drivers may believe they can push through feelings of sleepiness. While energy drinks can provide a boost in many settings, caffeine is not a guaranteed way to eliminate feelings of sleepiness while behind the wheel. Until drivers fully grasp the severity of this issue, serious accidents and injuries will continue to occur.
Three Solutions to Drowsy Driving
The first solution to drowsy driving is to plan ahead. By scheduling breaks into a trip schedule, drivers will have a chance to get out of their car or rest without feeling pressured to reach their destination in an amount of time that’s too short. The second solution is to trade off between two drivers. This is the best way to stay alert during longer drives. Last but not least, drivers shouldn’t hesitate to pull off the road to a safe location and take a nap if they feel too tired to stay focused. This is true even if someone is doing a relatively short drive through Phoenix. That decision can literally save one or more people’s lives.
What to Do After a Drowsy Driving Crash
Although education about this topic will help more drivers understand that it’s a very serious issue, the reality is that there’s no tool for police or other people on the road to detect drivers who are getting dangerously sleepy. As a result, tens of thousands of drowsy driving accidents and injuries will continue to occur on roads throughout Arizona and the rest of the United States.
If you’re injured in a car crash that was caused by a drowsy driver, you’re probably going to have significant medical bills and other expenses related to your injury. Because you should be able to put all of your attention on recovering from your injuries instead of worrying about this additional financial drain, the best thing you can do is contact a Phoenix personal injury lawyer.
Phoenix personal injury lawyers specialize in getting their clients the compensation they deserve. By seeking this type of representation, you can ensure that your best interests are protected at all times. Not only will a Phoenix personal injury lawyer work extremely hard on your behalf, but they don’t get paid unless they first secure compensation for you. That means you can get expert representation for your Phoenix personal injury case without worrying about paying out of pocket for any legal costs or fees.