Three-Car Crash After Man Falls Asleep at Wheel
A 36-year-old man from Napa suffered major injuries and was hospitalized after falling asleep behind the wheel on the morning of Thursday, July 1, 2021. After falling asleep, his 2000 Acura sedan was involved in a three-car collision, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The drowsy driving crash occurred in the Carneros area of Napa County at around 5:30 a.m.
The sleeping driver has been identified as Erik Robles. He was traveling westbound on Highway 12/121 just east of the county border, in the vicinity of Haire Lane, when he drifted off. His vehicle then crossed the center line and collided head-on with a GMC Acadia SUV. Another vehicle, a Ford Crown Victoria, was sideswiped by the Acura and the Acadia after its driver successfully avoided the initial collision.
Mr. Robles sustained major injuries in the crash. He was transported by AMR ambulance to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center. According to a representative from the CHP, he had been driving with a suspended license and was not wearing a seat belt.
The occupants of the other two vehicles, the Acadia and the Crown Vic, escaped injury.
Drowsy Driving – An Epidemic?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified drowsy driving as a major problem in our country. Being fatigued affects a driver’s ability to control the vehicle safely even if the driver remains conscious. The CDC estimates that up to 6,000 fatalities per year may be caused by drowsy driving. Being tired does the following:
- Decreases reaction time if you need to evade an obstacle or stop suddenly
- Decreases a driver’s attention to the road
- Disrupts the ability to make wise decisions
While everyone is prone to being sleepy at times, there are certain types of people that may be more susceptible to drowsy driving:
- Commercial drivers
- Night shift workers or those who work extended shifts
- Drivers with untreated sleep apnea or other sleep disorder
- Drivers who take certain medications
- Drivers who suffer from insomnia
Some of the warning signs of drowsy driving include:
- Frequent blinking
- Frequent yawning
- Missing an exit
- Being unable to remember the last few miles driven
- Lane drifting
- Striking a rumble strip in the road
If you display any of the above warning signs while driving, you should pull over to rest or switch drivers. Opening the windows and turning up the radio are not effective methods to keep you alert.
In a study conducted by NHTSA, 4% of people interviewed reported that they had fallen asleep at the wheel at least once within the prior 30 days. Those who were more likely to fall asleep while driving were people who snored or those who regularly slept 6 hours or less per day.
Ways to Avoid Drowsy Driving
- Make sure to get adequate sleep – at least 7 hours per day for adults.
- Develop a sleep routine and stick to it.
- Talk with your doctor if you have signs of a sleeping disorder.
- Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy before driving.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, uploaded by Today, reports on the dangers of drowsy driving.
Napa Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for visiting our blog. I’m Ed Smith, a Napa, California personal injury attorney. There are all sorts of causes for car crashes, drowsy driving is only one. Driver negligence manifests itself in many ways on our highways and unfortunately, sometimes results in injury-causing accidents. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a traffic collision caused by another driver’s carelessness or recklessness, call our injury lawyers for free and friendly advice. Our local number is (707) 564-1900. If you will be calling from another area code, please use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/man-guy-tired-lazy-morning-5522892/
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