Our Boston auto accident attorneys believe that understanding the causes of car accidents in Massachusetts is very important so that people can be aware of risky driving practices and can modify their behavior. There are a lot of common car accident causes that get attention, including drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving or using a cell phone. Recently, however, one other very dangerous driving behavior has been making headlines: drowsy driving.

The dangers of drowsy driving are well-established, but new studies are demonstrating just how widespread the problem of fatigued driving is. Since a drowsy driver who is driving after having been awake for 20-21 hours can present just as much of a risk as a driver with a BAC of .08, it is essential that people become aware of the dangers of drowsy driving and make a commitment to refrain from engaging in this risky behavior.

The Frightening Statistics on Drowsy Driving
To some, it may not seem as if drowsy driving is a big problem. After all, you may wonder how many people on the road are actually tired enough that it could make a difference in whether they drive safely. The unfortunate answer is that there are many drowsy drivers on the road and they are putting every single other driver, pedestrian, motorcycle rider and bicyclist at risk.

For many reasons, it is difficult to tell exactly how many drowsy drivers are on the road at any one time. There is no test to determine if a driver is fatigued, for one thing, so a driver who gets into a crash because he was nodding off may not be forthcoming about that information with the police. Another problem is that people may not even be aware of how tired they are or of the fact that they close their eyes as they drive, so it is difficult to get an accurate count of how many people actually fall asleep behind the wheel.

Despite the challenges of getting accurate answers on drowsy driving, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently undertook an ambitious project designed to get more data on drowsy drivers. The CDC interviewed more than 147,000 adults all across the United States. They conducted a telephone survey with people living in 19 different states and in DC and, according to Boston.com, the study is the largest of its kind ever to tackle the drowsy driving issue.

The CDC found out some important information in their survey. For instance, they found out that those aged 18-44 were more likely than elderly drivers over 65 to be fatigued as they drove. They also found out that men, more so then women, tended to be drowsy drivers. The most important information the CDC discovered, however, is that around 1 out of every 24 drivers had fallen asleep driving during the 30-day period before they answered the survey questions.

Think about these figures and consider the number of drivers in Boston. Now imagine that one in 24 of those drivers is dozing off. When you consider this, it quickly becomes clear just how frightening drowsy driving is and just how much danger it presents to Boston drivers. You can try to protect yourself by making sure you never drive drowsy, but you remain at risk if others don't make the same choice. This is why it is always important to pay attention to what other drivers are doing, and why it is always important to take legal action against drowsy drivers so that they face the consequences of what they've done.

If you've been injured, call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 for a free consultation with one of the personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone.

As the weather grows colder in Boston this winter season, it becomes especially important for drivers to exercise caution when driving. Winter weather presents many risks to drivers, from ice and snow on the roads to reduced visibility. Bad winter weather can create a dangerous situation and drivers need to do everything possible to prepare themselves for winter storms.

Our Worcester accident attorneys urge drivers to consider some safe driving tips that can help them to reduce the risk of driving during winter weather. We also caution drivers to use their common sense and to stay home when the weather looks very bad.

Winter Safe Driving Tips

There are a lot of tips to consider to stay safe during the winter driving season, but My Fox Boston provides six key pieces of advice for drivers to put into practice. Their winter safe driving tips include the following:

1. Checking the lights on your vehicle. This includes not only your headlights, which you need for visibility during fog, rainstorms and snowstorms, but also your turn signal lights and tail lights. Using your signals during winter to alert other drivers of what you intend is even more important than at other times during the year since drivers may take longer to slow down or stop on icy roads.
2. Having an inspection performed by a certified mechanic. Your mechanic can spot problems with the lights as well as other issues that could compromise driver safety. The mechanic should check your tires to make sure they are inflated to the proper level and don't have worn treads. Your mechanic can also check all the fluids in your car (don't forget the antifreeze!) and can make sure the brakes are in good working order.
3. Always being prepared for the worst, no matter what the weather says. Weathermen aren't infallible and even when the forecast says the weather is going to be fine, you never know for sure. To be prepared, you should always have a snow brush and ice scraper in your car as well as an emergency roadside kit including flares. Having some food and a blanket in the trunk is a good idea as well if you want to make sure you are prepared for any eventuality.
4. Share driving duties and don't drive when you're feeling tired. If you are going on a long trip over the holiday season, you should rotate out drivers so you do not become bored or fatigued and lose your focus on the road.
5. Never drive distracted. Your cell phone, DVD player, music player and other electronic devices all take your focus off the road which can be extremely dangerous. Keep these devices in the backseat or the car's trunk so you won't be tempted to take a look.
6. Beware of what other drivers are doing. Not everyone knows how to drive in winter or makes smart winter weather choices.  By being alert to what is going on, you might be able to avoid becoming the victim of an accident that someone else causes through carelessness.

While these tips can help keep you safe, you are still vulnerable to others on the road. If a driver fails to be reasonably careful during the winter season and causes a wreck, that driver can be held legally liable.

If you've been injured, call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 for a free consultation with one of the personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone.