Distracted Drivers

Many people are familiar that the recommended hours of sleep per night is around eight, and that you are more accident-prone when sleep deprived. However, there is also a problem for shift workers, whose sleep schedule may be erratic, and who may be working during the time research says is most common for workplace accidents, midnight to 8 am. Furthermore, they may work extended shifts with fewer breaks, which also have negative effects on health and workplace productivity.

 

Researchers offer the following tips for reducing your chance of workplace accidents: working shorter shifts, but on more days, taking regular breaks (including micro breaks to stretch your legs!) and where overtime is unavoidable, rest well before your next shift. Finally, perform any heavy manual labour at the beginning of your shift whenever possible, as this is usually when you are at your peak alertness. Sleep deprivation can also have an effect on your ability to drive safely.

 

With more and more things within easy reach of a driver, the epidemic of crashes caused by distracted drivers is on the rise. To safely operate a motor vehicle, a driver needs visual, manual and cognitive capabilities. If a driver is no longer using one or more of these three abilities for driving, the driver is distracted. The worst type of distraction is one that combines all three, such as texting while driving, where the driver takes their hand off the wheel, looks down to type and is mentally involved in the texting conversation. Research has shown texting while driving means you are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident.

 

If you are a driver, passenger or pedestrian who has been injured in an accident because of a distracted driver, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. John Mickelson Law Corporation can help you acquire financial assistance and medical treatment. Our ICBC lawyers have the experience needed to maximize your personal injury settlement. Call us at (604) 684-0040 for a free consultation in our Vancouver or Surrey offices.

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