Springfield Virginia Motor Vehicle Accidents Blog

In anticipation of the end of daylight saving time, AAA is warning people in Virginia and across the U.S. of the danger of drowsy driving. One might think that an extra hour of sleep will reduce the chances of drowsy driving, but the change in the sleep schedule will have an impact on the body's internal clock. Drivers may have trouble concentrating on the road in the days subsequent to this change.

What increases the risk for drowsiness is that many will stay up later than usual the night before daylight saving time ends. AAA recommends, on the contrary, that everyone go to bed at the time they normally would. Drowsy driving, it should be pointed out, is behind approximately 328,000 car crashes every year in this country. Approximately 6,400 people die and 50,000 incur debilitating injuries in these crashes, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Motorists in Virginia and throughout America may not necessarily be familiar with roundabouts. Furthermore, they may seem more complicated and dangerous than a traditional intersection at first glance. However, data from the Federal Highway Administration revealed that there was a 37% decline in accidents when a road had a roundabout instead of a traffic light. This was largely because accidents occurred at slower rates of speed. Therefore, they were less intense and less likely to result in fatalities or property damage.

The FHWA data also determined that there was a 40% decrease in pedestrian accidents on roundabouts compared to traditional intersections. Finally, there was a 90% drop in fatal crashes according to the numbers compiled by the FHWA. Other benefits to this type of road feature include less time stuck idling in traffic as well as lower insurance rates because accidents occur less frequently.

Teens in Arkansas are more likely to drink and drive than teens in other states, according to a report by an insurance comparison website. Federal statistics show that drunk driving deaths account for one-third of all U.S. traffic fatalities each year.

For the report, researchers examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's High School Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System to find out which states have the most teen drunk drivers. They found that 10.7% of Arkansas teens admitted to drinking and driving within the previous 30 days, which was the highest percentage in the U.S.

Fall weather can lead to unpredictable conditions on the road. A sunny, clear day can change in a matter of moments to cold and rainy. With shorter fall days, drivers are more likely to find themselves driving in the dark, which can be more dangerous than daytime driving. To stay safe on the road during fall driving, drivers should prepare for potential hazards like sun glare, frost and fog.

Fall is a time when sun glare is more likely to distract drivers or affect their ability to see while on the road. If the sun is in front of the vehicle, the glare can come in directly and impact the driver. When the sun is behind the driver, sun glare can reflect off of traffic lights or the rearview mirror. Drivers often say they are blinded following sun glare exposure, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.