Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Tired drivers are a danger on the road and cause many Florida pedestrian accidents and car accidents each year. Tired drivers are more likely to cause a Florida truck accident or car accident because their thinking is muddy and their reaction times are slow. Some studies have found that driving tired can reduce response times as much as driving drunk. According to medical experts, getting a good night's sleep – the kind of sleep that can make you safer as a driver -- involves practicing good sleep hygiene. This means:

1) Creating a good atmosphere for sleep. Do your best to create a quiet, dark, and comfortable sleep environment. Experts recommend a room temperature of 65 F for optimal sleep. Dark, heavy curtains can help block out light and ear plugs or a solid window can help create a quiet atmosphere. Scientists have found that sudden loud noises can interrupt quality sleep and leave sleepers more tired in the morning, even if the sleeper did not fully wake up at the noise.

2) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Doing so helps you fall asleep more easily and allows you to create a solid sleep-wake cycle, which can help you feel more rested and can help ensure a quality sleep.

3) Create a soothing ritual for going to sleep. To create a good sleeping and waking schedule, start relaxing a good thirty minutes to one hour before your bedtime. Avoid any stimulants during this time – including TV, nicotine, or caffeine. Try to avoid exercise four to six hours before your ideal bedtime, as it will keep you awake longer. Sipping a soothing warm drink, relaxing, reading quietly, or listening to soothing music can help get your body and mind ready for sleep and can help you fall asleep more easily.

4) Choose a bed that supports good sleep. Be fussy about your bed and carefully search out the right pillows, mattress, and bed position that you need for the best sleep. Choose comfortable sheets and make sure that you change them often. An inviting and comfortable bed can mean a better sleep and fewer aches in the morning.

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Fatigued driving is a major cause of Florida truck accidents and car accidents. Fatigue can be an especial problem in the summer because:

1) The summer sun can be bad for proper rest and sleep. Since the days are longer in the summer, you may naturally be getting less sleep. If your bedroom is filled with sunlight in the morning, you may be waking up much earlier than you need to – especially if you are a night owl. Consider investing in dark, heavy curtains to keep out the sun in the mornings in order to get a restful sleep.

2) Late nights. The summer is often filled with social events, parties, and holidays, which can mean lots of late nights. When planning your social calendar, plan to get home safely from each event if you have been drinking. Planning well ahead is one of the best ways to avoid Florida drunk driving accidents. As well, try to get rest during the day when you know you will be up late. If you feel too tired to drive, take your body's cues seriously and take a nap or call a cab rather than getting behind the wheel.

3) It can be difficult to sleep in the heat. Summer nights can make restful sleep difficult. Hot, dry nights can be uncomfortable and in many places insects can also be an issue. To combat the issue, use a humidifier and a fan or air conditioner to create a pleasant sleeping environment. Add a good-quality screen to your window and a mosquito net to your bed to ensure that insects do not disturb your rest.

4) Heat and light during the day can make it hard to drive. Even if you are rested, hot and sunny days can give you a headache and make you feel exhausted. Heat exhaustion and sun stroke can make it impossible to drive and even simple dehydration can make it difficult to stay alert and focused. Make sure to keep hydrated and wear a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

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Summer can mean more distractions and therefore more Florida car accidents. There are many causes for distraction in the summer months:

1) A busier schedule. While the dog days of summer are meant to be a more relaxing time, for many people they are anything but. There are children's camp activities and summer plans, a busier social life, wedding season, and many more distractions. A hectic schedule in the summer months can mean being emotionally distracted and unable to focus. It can also mean sleepless nights, late nights, and cell phones ringing while you are trying to drive. To avoid an accident, consider slowing down your schedule where possible and make a good effort to get a good night's sleep.

2) More bustle on the streets. The streets are busier during the summer months, as visitors and local families take advantage of Florida's green spaces, attractions, and beautiful weather. As well, many municipalities introduce special street events, live street entertainments, and billboards to attract visitors. These can all distract drivers and can cause other drivers on the road to rubberneck, as well.

3) More drivers. There tend to be more drivers on the roads during the summer, thanks to no school and thanks to the visitors who visit the state. Extra drivers and cars on the road can mean traffic, aggressive driving, and a higher risk of Florida car accidents due to the congestion on the roads.

4) Road work. Another contributor to congestion, road work is distracting because it can be hard to resist a peek at a new construction or a new project. However, it is important to stay focused on driving and to slow down in these construction areas.

5) Passengers. Whether you are ferrying the kids to summer activities or going on a family road trip, you are likely to have more passengers in your car more often during the summer months. Passengers can easily distract you with chatting and by pointing out sights on the road. Try to keep passengers quiet by having them check a map or do something else for you while you drive.

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For many teens, a road trip is an adventure and something of a rite of passage. Therefore, many teen drivers look forward to the day they can gather together a few friends and hit the road. If your teen driver is going on a first road trip, keep these safety tips in mind:

1) Make sure your teen has GPS and a cell phone – but won't use them while driving. A cell phone with a GPS feature can help your teen call for help and get oriented, but since distracted driving is a leading cause of Florida car accidents, you want to ensure that your teen won't use these devices while driving. Make sure that your teen agrees to pull over onto the side of the road before using these devices. Also, arrange a call-in time for your teen to call you to let you know that everything is fine.

2) Help your teen plan the trip. Work together to identify driving times, rest stops and breaks, potential hazards, and good driving routes. Make sure that your teen understands all the information needed to drive safely.

3) Create a written agreement. Create a contract with your teen and sign it. The contract should outline the rules for the road trip – such as when your teen will call in, a no drunk driving clause, a no distracted driving clause, and anything else you need to keep your driver safe. Be sure to outline fines and penalties for breaking the rules.

4) Encourage your teen to choose passengers carefully. Passengers are a major cause of distraction for teen drivers, so encourage your driver to consider who is coming along on the trip. Consider packing snacks or other activities for passengers so that your teen can focus on the road.

5) Make sure that your teen has a safe car to drive. Many teens driver older used cars because they are affordable, but not all of these cars are adequate for the rigors of a road trip. Take the car to your own mechanic to make sure the vehicle is sound and safe.

6) Consider the gift of additional training. The best gift you have give your teen before the road trip is a few hours of extra training with a qualified driving instructor. One on one training with a good instructor can help your teen correct some bad habits and brush up on skills needed for a longer trip.

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For many of us, the holidays are a very hectic time of year. In addition to the usual round of work and social activities, many of us are contributing to charitable causes, working longer hours, attending holiday functions, decorating for the holidays, hosting holiday gatherings, and more. All of this can lead to sleep-deprivation and fatigue, all of which can contribute to Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents. Numerous studies have shown that fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Like drunk driving, driving when fatigues means slower response times. Drivers who are tired may fall asleep at the wheel or may simply be too exhausted to notice obstacles on the road. There are many things you can do to help reduce Florida car accidents caused by fatigue this season:

1) Get good rest and take care of yourself. While it may be difficult to fit in extra rest, it is important. You will find that you may be more productive and therefore need less time to accomplish more with some rest. Short naps and good nightly sleeps are important. Exercise and good food can also ensure that you feel energetic and awake.

2) Never combine alcohol with poor sleep. Florida drunk driving accidents are all too common. When drivers drink, they always run the risk of causing a serious and even fatal car accident. However, combining alcohol and fatigue can be an even more deadly combination. Alcohol causes sleepiness, so if you are already tired, alcohol can actually cause you to fall asleep at the wheel.

3) Use a buddy system. Shopping and running holiday errands with a friend or two is not only more fun – it can be safer. Running errands with a friend allows you to delegate or share some tasks, so that you have more time to rest. As well, it gives you an alternative way to get home. If you are too tired to drive home, your friend can take over driving duties.

4) Treat fatigue like drinking. In many ways, to help prevent Florida car accidents caused by fatigue, we all need to make a conscious shift in our way of thinking. Drinking and driving has become socially unacceptable, but many people still feel that they will be “fine” if they drive tired, even though research has proven otherwise. It is safest to treat fatigue the way you treat drinking: if you wouldn’t drink and drive, don’t get behind the wheel when you feel tired.

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This is the time of year when many families are planning long trips – including loan road trips – for the holidays. If you want to help prevent Florida car accidents and arrive safely, you need to plan ahead. Here’s how:

1) Use online mapping tools to chart your holiday driving plans, especially if the route is not familiar with you. Tools such as Google maps and Google Streetview allow you to envision your route before you go, select different routes, and even estimate how long your drive will take you.

2) Plan to drive well-rested. When deciding on your trip, develop a strategy to ensure that you will not drive fatigued. Fatigued driving causes many Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents each year. Make sure that the day before you leave is not too hectic and you have enough time to get a proper rest. Note hotels and motels along your route, in case you are tired and need a rest. Consider driving with a friend, who can do some of the driving when you get tired.

3) Plan to drive undistracted. Distracted driving causes many Florida truck accidents and car accidents each year. Make sure that you avoid all distractions – such as mobile devices and loud music – while you drive. Turn your phone off before you get in the car, to prevent family members from calling to check where you are on your route.

4) Consider weather past state lines if you are driving outside of Florida for the holidays. If you will be driving well outside the state, you may encounter snowy conditions and ice on the roads. Make sure your vehicle is in good shape and has good snow tires for the journey. Listen to weather reports before you leave and change your plans as needed.

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