A 25-year-old man from Salt Lake County died after his car smashed into the median on an Interstate 215 off-ramp August 15, 2010. What’s more surprising is that the victim is a member of the Utah Highway Patrol. Bryon Rokus was going to his aunt’s house in West Jordan after working a graveyard shift when he turned sharply across three lanes and then crashed with the center line. Troopers told investigators that the victim fell asleep behind the wheel.

Driver drowsiness does not choose its prey. Whether you have the highest of education or not, there is no excuse for driving tired. According to data provided by the National Sleep Foundation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have been an estimated 100,000 car collisions in the United States because of driver drowsiness.

Sleep apnea and driver fatigue is a serious problem among professional truck drivers. In fact, a recent study of 1,391 commercial truck drivers found that 28% had obstructive sleep apnea, with more than one-third of the drivers’ symptoms categorized as moderate to severe. This is extremely serious, since professional truck drivers operate their trucks for longer distances than the average driver and operate heavy trucks that can more easily cause fatal accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Utah caused by drowsy driving, do not hesitate to contact the Christensen Law Firm for a free consultation. You can also obtain a free copy of our Utah Accident Report, 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Utah Accident Case by visiting www.UtahAccidentBooks.com.

The Department of Transportation reports that in the United States more than half-a-million truck accidents occur annually. Of this number, 5,000 people die. Many of these accidents happen because truck drivers experience fatigue caused by lack of sleep and rest. Since monetary incentives entice them to work longer hours, some drivers forget the fact that their sleep deprivation leads to fatigue, which in turn may result in a collision with another vehicle.

Technology is being developed to avoid truck crashes. One particular innovation that appears to be promising is a device that can help alert truck drivers when they sense fatigue. Dashboard-mounted cameras measure driver's eyelid movement in order to detect fatigue. This technology seems promising, but is still in the development and research stage. Ample support from the government is needed to fully develop this system.

Like alcohol intoxication, fatigue can be a serious threat to a driver’s life. But what’s different is that there is no standard to measure the level of one’s fatigue. People need an average of 8 hours of sleep in order to produce enough energy for the day ahead. It is better to get some rest and be safe than earn a little more money and put other drivers in danger.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck or trailer-tractor accident having an experienced attorney can make all the difference. Trucking companies and their drivers are only required to keep crucial evidence like log books for as a little as 30 days after an accident. An experienced Salt Lake City semi truck accident lawyer can help preserve this information. Get a free copy of our Utah Accident Book today or call 801-506-0800 for a free consultation.

Statistics indicate that in the United States more than half of teen deaths result from liquor consumption. That equates to the death of eight teen drivers every day because of alcohol intoxication. In some states, Having blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 is considered legally drunk, and increases the risk of getting in an accident by 18 times compared to driving sober.

The consequences of drinking and driving are serious. Every time a drunk driver is on the road he not only puts his or her own life in jeopardy, he puts everyone around him in jeopardy.

High schools, alarmed by the said scenario, are now acting on ways to address the matter. One way that has been found effective is stirring the consciences of teen drivers by inviting victims of drunk-driving accidents and their families to share their stories. This method generally puts emotions high. Some students even walk out because they’re unable to bear the impact these stories have on them.

Aside from programs like these organized by schools, family’s can confront the drunk driving problem and contribute to shaping teens’ perspective on alcoholism and responsible driving. EHow.com recommends parent's should start conversations in a casual tone. Letting your teenager know driving drunk is something worth discussing will create a serious mood. Then educate your teen on underage drinking. Share facts with them like, "Drunk driving is a worse killer than drugs," or "that 100,000 emergency room cases are caused by teenage drinking yearly," and hopefully these facts and your concern will put the seriousness of this problem into perspective. However, don’t forget to assure your teen that you trust his or her judgment and knowledge.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk-driving accident you know how difficult it can be to cope, heal, and deal with adjusters and medical bills. You may need an attorney to help guide you through the process and remove the pressure so that you can focus on healing. Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen focuses his practice on representing people that are injured in car accidents caused by a drunk driver. To schedule a free consultation contact us today at 801-506-0800.