| Related Links: |
Did you know that there are approximately 8,000 teenagers in the U.S. between the ages of 14 and 15 who annually suffer pedestrian-related injuries requiring medical treatment? While this information is shocking, it is also an eye-opening reality check.
Why is it that so many teens are getting hit while crossing the street? Although there are multiple factors that contribute to Sarasota pedestrian accidents and injuries, it appears that lack of sleep may play a role. When teenagers don’t get the proper amount of sleep, their reactions are delayed and their judgment is dulled.
According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, too little sleep can affect a teen’s ability to cross the street safely. The adequate quantity of sleep for 14- and 15-year-olds is about eight and a half hours. However, there are many teens who do not get the proper amount of rest.
The researchers conducting this study restricted teens to four hours of sleep the night before the test. The teens were then tested in a virtual-reality setting. Interestingly, the simulated street crossings revealed the following:
- Tired teens took more time to begin crossing the street
- Sleep-deprived teens had more close calls or hits (tired teens averaged 2.2 close calls or hits compared with 1.42 close calls or hits for teens getting the proper sleep)
- Teens with a lack of sleep were more at risk for a pedestrian accident
What this study reveals is that when teens do not get the proper amount of sleep, their safety can be compromised and they may have a higher chance of getting hit by a vehicle. In order to avoid a pedestrian accident in Sarasota, make sure you are getting enough sleep before you take to the streets.
If you have been hit by a car by no fault of your own, please contact a knowledgeable Sarasota pedestrian injury lawyer at Mallard Perez. Call us today at 888-409-3805 for a free initial consultation.
