Parent often understand that when their teenagers don’t get enough sleep they might be hurting their academic studies and their ability to function at their best during the day. A recent study found that a lack of sleep by people ages 17 to 24 might not only be detrimental to their academic performance but also in their ability to focus on the road.
While 20 percent of car accidents have a drowsy driving factor, there have been few studies conducted on the effects of drowsy driving in teen drivers. According to the most recent study, those who are 17 to 24 years old might see a 20 percent increase in their risk of being in a car accident if they get fewer than six hours of sleep in a night.
This means that these teens and young adults are not only putting their own lives at risk, but the lives of every other person on the road at the same time as them. It might be important for parents to encourage proper sleep habits.
If a person is injured in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver, they might be wise to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in Lake Charles. They can help a person understand their rights and possibly seek compensation for expenses related to the accident. Additionally, they might be able to seek lost wage expenses so they can continue to pay their monthly expenses even if they are not able to work as a result of their injuries.
Source: LiveScience, “Teens Short On Sleep Have Higher Car Accident Risk, Study Finds,” Rachael Rettner, May 20, 2013
