Auto accidents happen for any number of reasons. While some might be unavoidable, there are those tragic incidents that occurred due to driver negligence. California motorists who get behind the wheel intoxicated or refuse to make safety-oriented repairs might rank high on the list of negligent drivers. What about those who operate a vehicle while fatigued? In some instances, fatigued driving could rise to a level of negligent behavior. Sometimes, drivers must be more aware of their physical and mental state, which daylight saving time might affect.
Slight time changes could make people feel drowsy
Daylight saving time begins in March and ends in November. The one-hour time difference might have a significant impact on how drivers react on the road. Turning to statistics from Pennsylvania’s PennDOT, drowsy driving contributed to 2,500 crashes in that state in 2019. Drowsy driving remains a cause for accidents in the Golden State and around the country. So people must take care to avoid driving when fatigue could undermine safety on the road.
Losing one hour of sleep might be more than enough to make driving dangerous. Fatigue may dull perceptions, senses, and reaction time. Even when gaining more sunlight to see the road better during heavy commutes, a tired driver might still fail at the wheel.
Other factors that lead to fatigued driving
Drowsy driving may result from taking medication, over-the-counter, prescription, legal, or otherwise. Anything that makes someone drowsy, even working or driving too many hours, might hamper safe vehicle operation abilities.
Drivers who take to the roads while too tired put others at risk. “Feeling tired” won’t likely serve as a solid defense in a civil suit, either. People who have harmed in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drowsy driver may wish to have an attorney’s assistance when seeking compensation for their medical bills and other financial losses.
