A new study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute uncovers some surprising findings regarding driving while fatigued. The research shows that a driver who is fatigued is four times more likely to be involved in an car accident. Moreover, driver fatigue is the cause of twenty percent of all automobile accidents.
Driver Fatigue Research Methods
One hundred drivers who commute in the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., metropolitan area were studied in a “naturalistic” setting. This means that researchers observed real drivers in normal driving situations with limited outside intrusions. This type of research allows for more accurate reporting than data obtained from test tracks or simulated driving courses.
To observe drivers in their natural setting, researchers installed inconspicuous cameras in their cars. Other monitoring devices included forward and rearward Vorad radar units, five video channels, accelerometers, lane-tracking software, and an in-vehicle network sensor.
Researchers observed thirty-eight drivers who suffered fatigue. Motorists were seen driving with their eyes closed, bobbing their heads and “micro-sleeping” (closing their eyes and then popping them open.) Overall, 82 car crashes and 761 near-car crashes occurred because of driver fatigue. Moreover, there were more than 8,000 incidents of poor driving due to driver fatigue such as running a red light and braking hard.
Teenagers Affected by Driver Fatigue
Research data found that 18-20 year olds were involved in considerably more car accidents due to driver fatigue. The study concluded the reason for this may be that adolescents suffer from daytime tiredness as a result of their school day starting early and going to bed later. Furthermore, teen drivers have less experience dealing with driver fatigue than older drivers, resulting in more car accidents.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Help Victims of Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue causes or contributes to large percentage of car accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured as the result of a car accident caused by a negligent driver choosing to drive while fatigue, the Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates can help. Our accident attorneys understand the complexities involved in auto accident cases and have the knowledge, litigation skills and resources to seek justice and maximum compensation for our clients. Call us today at 215-567-6600 for a free consultation or submit an online inquiry. We respond promptly 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
With offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Voorhees, New Jersey, we handle accident cases throughout Southeast Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, including Philadelphia County, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County and Delaware County.