Paradise Drowsy Driving Prevention Week – Thanks to the efforts of two Butte County parents, agencies around the area began observing Drowsy Driving Week on November 5, 2018. The week-long awareness campaign aims to reduce the number of serious accidents caused by drivers who operate their vehicles without enough rest. The week is dedicated to Brianna Cassidy, a local woman who tragically lost her life during a car accident caused by a drowsy driver that took place on Skyway during December 2014. Brianna Cassidy’s parents, Mary and Rodney Cassidy, have been working alongside the Butte County government in order to educate their community about the very real dangers of driving while fatigued.
Drowsy Driving Statistics and Dangers
Studies conduction by the AAA Traffic Safety Foundation estimates that drowsy driving is a factor in over 300,000 car accidents in the U.S. every year. Additionally, according to the American Academy of Sleep, falling asleep at the wheel is estimated to cause over 6,000 fatal injuries annually. This means that fatigued driving is more than fifty percent as deadly as driving while under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering drugs. Furthermore, drowsy driving is most common among young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 years old, with males having even more risk.
According to a statement from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Acting Commission Warren Stanley, operating a vehicle while sleepy can have the same effect as being intoxicated. Fatigue, Stanley indicated, can “impair judgment, performance, and reaction time” in the same way that intoxicating substances can.
Campaign Successes
The Cassidy family has already seen success in their mission to bring awareness to their community. The family advocated for a $250,000 guardrail to be constructed along Skyway near lookout point in order to protect drivers in this dangerous area. The project was approved by the county government providing that California’s gas tax is not repealed. Additionally, both the DMV and Office of Traffic Safety have agreed to display a campaign message on their public boards during Drowsy Driving Week. The message will read “if you feel drowsy, exit and get sleep.”
Reckless Driving
Driving a vehicle while fatigued is among the most dangerous things you can do while driving. Other dangerous driving behaviors include driving while distracted by a mobile phone, speeding, making unsafe turns, tailgating, and more. Many of these behaviors leave people with serious injuries and, in the worst cases, can even be the cause of a fatal crash. However, if a driver is determined to have been driving recklessly at the time of a crash, injured parties and their families may be able to claim compensation for their damages.
The types of compensation that can be claimed after a serious crash are various. In many cases, injured parties are able to seek payments for both economic and non-economic losses. These can include money for therapy, medical bills, household services, and more. The best way to learn more about personal injury claims is to speak with a Paradise car accident lawyer. To get an idea about how to find a good attorney, check out the video below:
More by Ed Smith, Paradise Car Accident Lawyer
Paradise Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Paradise car accident lawyer. Car accidents are often serious. If a crash has affected your life, call me for free, friendly advice at either (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400. I’m also available through my website.
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Paradise Drowsy Driving Prevention Week: Ed Smith
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