According to a recent government survey, 1 in 25 U.S. drivers admitted that they had fallen asleep while driving at least once during the previous month. Other studies have shown that as many as 7,500 fatal car accidents might be caused by drowsy driving each year. An additional 50,000 motor vehicle accident injuries are thought to be the result of fatigued driving.
Despite these startling statistics, there is a surprising lack of media attention devoted to the subject of drowsy driving, which is quickly becoming just as dangerous as distracted driving, or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A prime example of the dangers of fatigued driving occurred just a few months ago in suburban Detroit, when a city bus driver fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into eight vehicles before coming to a screeching halt. The sole passenger on the bus suffered no injuries, but the man and woman who were riding in the first vehicle struck by the bus were immediately rushed to intensive care.
After four months of rigorous investigation, authorities have announced that Lou Rasheed, the 65-year-old city bus driver, is facing charges.
In order to combat the growing rates of sleep-related accidents, government officials and commercial transportation companies are seeking solutions. So far, a handful of commercial trucking and aviation departments have started screening for obstructive sleep apnea, a common condition that occurs when the sufferer’s airway collapses, restricting air flow and interrupting healthy sleep patterns.
Although sleep apnea testing can be helpful, many companies have found that without nationwide regulations that require drivers to be tested, compliance is minimal. To make matters worse, most people who suffer from sleep apnea don’t know that they have the condition, and thus do not feel the need to be tested.
Both the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are working on research that may soon lead to mandated sleep apnea screenings for commercial drivers.
Geoff Pope and Marc Howard, the founding partners of one of Atlanta’s leading serious injury law firms, understand the inherent dangers of drowsy driving. The expert legal team at Pope & Howard, P.C. is dedicated to securing just compensation for those who have been seriously injured in a car accident. If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to the actions of a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, contact Pope & Howard, P.C. for a consultation today. Call (404) 885-9999, or fill out our online contact form.
Have a Question?
