Galveston accident lawyers note that Dr. Nicholas Moore and a team of researchers from Le Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Bordeaux in France have released results providing further strong support for the thesis that sleep-deprived drivers are just as likely to cause dangerous wrecks and catastrophic injuries as drunken drivers.
A U.S. researcher not involved in the study commented that while the dangers of drowsy driving have long been known, the results of the French study provided further interesting evidence. He mentioned that previous studies have indicated that losing just 4 hours of your sleep will impair you behind the wheel as much as a 6-pack. And that losing a full night of sleep equates to a blood alcohol level of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit.
Our Galveston accident lawyers well know that the pace of modern life often requires that we choose between sleep and productivity. Think about how often you might have chosen to lose a little sleep in order to accomplish a necessary task. Perhaps as a student you pulled “all nighters” to prepare for important tests. Or maybe after a long day at work you went out with friends or family thinking that losing a couple of hours of sleep here and there wouldn’t do any harm.
Well, the French research study adds to the body of evidence that indicates a great potential for harm from sleep loss. You probably realize that when you are drowsy from a sleep deficit, you aren’t at your best. It’s hard to focus. Your attention wanders and you don’t notice or remember as many details as usual. And you might be sufficiently dazed from lack of sleep to not really care. So you might just slip up on the tasks you attempt. You might miss an appointment or an answer to a test. You might forget a work task. Or our Galveston accident lawyers caution that you might run a red light or doze off behind the wheel of your vehicle and crash.
The French study, which analyzed data from police reports and 679 drivers hospitalized in southwest France after accidents, received publication as a letter in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The majority of the drivers were male and less than 55 years of age. Over half were riding motorcycles at the times of their wrecks, approximately 33% were behind the wheels of cars, and another 10% were on bicycles. Dr. Moore and his team concluded from their research that among your increased risk factors for causing a vehicle accident are the following:
So our Galveston accident lawyers remind you: don’t drink and rive, and always try to get a good night’s sleep. Sufficient sleep improves your health and resistance to disease. It helps you perform well on tests and at work. And it might just save you from a catastrophic or deadly accident. Good night, and sleep well.