The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have studied drowsy driving and found that drivers that are sleepy or fatigued continue to be a huge risk on the road. Being sleepy makes drivers less able to pay attention, slows reaction time, and hinders decision making. The problem is more widespread than you might expect. In some surveys, 4% of drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel in the last month. These tend to be people that snore or for other reasons do not get enough sleep. In one recent year, drowsy driving was blamed for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths.
To learn more, give our St. Louis truck accident lawyers a call at (314) 208-2808 or CONTACT us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, here are some things that drivers should watch out for, both for their own safety and the safety of everyone else on the road:
The federal government has tried to combat driver fatigue with new hours-of-service regulations. Drivers carrying property are limited to driving for 11 hours before they must take 10 hours of rest. They cannot spend more than 14 hours “on duty” either. Drivers cannot go more than eight hours with at least 30 minutes of break time. Drivers carrying passengers have limits that are slightly more strict. They can only drive for 10 hours in a shift, but they can be on duty for 15 hours. Drivers in both categories also cannot drive more than 60 hours in a week (or 70 hours in an eight-day period). Violations of these laws can make a commercial driver liable for a crash he or she causes.
If you have been injured in the St. Louis, Missouri area, you can call us anytime for a FREE case evaluation. Our firm does not charge any fees to our clients. OurSTL personal injury lawyers only get paid if you win. Our firm is also solely focused on recovering damages for those who have been wrongfully injured. That means you can have faith that your case is not our first rodeo, we have been strengthened by years of fighting the big insurance companies on behalf of our injured clients.
The Dixon Injury Firm
9666 Olive Blvd #202,
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone:(314) 208-2808
Many personal injury law factories get as many clients in the door as possible, hoping one will be the jackpot. Not us. At The Dixon Injury Firm, we’re highly selective about our cases because we devote considerable time and attention to each client.
