Five Tractor Trailer Accident Causes Back-ups on I-81
The Troutville Rest Area on I-81 was temporarily closed Tuesday morning after a wreck involving 5 tractor trailers.
Fortunately, only one person was injured in the crash and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He is expected to recover.
The tractor trailer accident occurred when 31 year old Alexander Stevens fell asleep at approximately 3:12 am while driving on southbound Interstate 81 near Troutville, VA.
After falling asleep, the tractor trailer veered off the highway into four illegally parked tractor trailers on the Rest Area exit ramp. All four of the other drivers were ticketed for parking illegally. Fortunately, the driver was wearing a seatbelt. He has been charged with reckless driving.
Traffic backed up for over two miles early Wednesday morning.
According to the CDC, drowsy driving is a major problem on roadways in the United States. We have been characterized as a sleep deprived society and it shows in the number of traffic fatalites occuring in the United States that are related to drivers falling asleep at the wheel. The NHSTA estimates that over 72,000 crashes were caused by drowsy drivers in a single year!
Who is at Risk for Falling Asleep at the Wheel?
- Any driver who does not get enough sleep is at risk for for falling asleep at the wheel and causing serious injury to self or others. Adults between the ages of 18-64 need between 7-9 consecutive hours of sleep each night.
- Commercial drivers who operate buses, tractor trailers and tow trucks.
- Shift workers that work long shifts during the night (nurses, factory workers, delivery drivers, etc.)
- Drivers who use prescription medications that cause drowsiness.
- Drivers who use alcohol.
- Drivers who have untreated or undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Who is at Risk for Being Seriously Injured of Killed Due to Drowsy Driving?
Everyone. Literally every single person on the planet is at risk of being injured by a sleepy driver.
Why is this Such a Big Problem?
Technology and electricity have made it possible to trick ourselves into working and playing way past our bedtimes. To add insult to injury, the “blue light” emitted from screens (including cell phones) actually inhibits the body’s ability to increase levels of melatonin, the hormone that is released to help us sleep.
But electronic devices don’t carry all of the responsibilty. Adults in general are busier than ever. Many have multiple jobs. Others have jobs were they work far longer than 40 hours per week. Some have mulitple jobs and care for family members such as aging parents or children. In essence, we’re cramming more into the same 24 hours than our grandparents did and we sacrifice sleep in an effort to “have it all.”
How Do We Fix This?
The first step to getting enough sleep is to decide to do so. As adults, we have to make sleep a priority. Set a regular schedule that allows for 7-9 hours a night of sleep and stick to it, even on the weekends. Be sure to cut off all screens at least 20 minutes before bed. Experts recommend dimming the lights and doing a relaxing activity before bed such as upper body stretches, light reading, or taking a warm shower or bath.
To optimize sleep, be sure that your bedroom is dark, quiet and cool. Avoid having a TV, laptop, cell phone or tablet in the bedroom. This will help you avoid checking email or web surfing from bed.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, call Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm. (540) 777-4900
