The case for later school start times

On Behalf of | Aug 4, 2021 | Car Accidents |

It’s not uncommon for teenagers to struggle through a typical Missouri school day. This is partially because they are required to wake up in the middle of their natural sleep cycle. This can be dangerous for young people who drive themselves to school as they may be at a higher risk of getting into an accident while doing so.

It’s harder to pay attention when you’re tired

In most cases, students arrive at school at roughly the same time that other drivers are commuting to work. Therefore, they may be forced to navigate busy roads or highways while traveling at high rates of speed. When driving on the highway, even a small mistake can lead to a motor vehicle accident resulting in bodily injury or death. However, it can be extremely difficult to process information in a timely manner when you are groggy.

Additional obstacles may lurk early in the morning

Driving to school can still be hazardous for tired teens who drive on rural or suburban roads. This is because they may encounter roads that are covered by ice, snow or leaves. Furthermore, they may have to stay alert for animals crossing a road in search of food or children who are walking or biking to school. Finally, driving to school can be especially hazardous during the fall and winter months when the sun might not come up until after 7 a.m.

Distracted driving can be a problem

A tired person may have a hard time performing simple tasks such as changing a radio station or connecting his or her phone to a hands-free device. Ultimately, this individual may take his or her eyes off the road for a significant amount of time trying to accomplish something that an alert person would do effortlessly.

If you are involved in an accident caused by a tired driver, you might be entitled to compensation. A financial award might help to cover medical bills, lost wages and other damages incurred because of a negligent motorist’s actions.

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