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Study of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake schools asks: does more sleep for teens mean fewer car crashes?

Teen auto accidents in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Norfolk and other nearby areas are a major issue for parents, school officials and law enforcement officers. What if a little extra sleep is all it would take to cut down on the car crash rate for teen drivers?

That’s the question being asked by researchers at Norfolk’s Virginia Medical School. Sleep researchers believe that teenagers need more sleep than most people realize – at least nine hours a night – and without this much sleep accidents are more likely to happen.

What teen auto accident rates in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake reveal

Researchers compared accident rates at high schools in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. In Virginia Beach, 11 high schools all started the school day at 7:20am. In Chesapeake, 7 high schools start the day at 8:40am. The two school systems were chosen because they are similar in terms of demographics ethnicity and family income.

What did researchers find? Students in the Chesapeake school system were 19.2 percent less likely to be involved in car crashes than students in Virginia Beach. Researchers theorize that this is because the early start time in Virginia Beach disrupts teens’ circadian rhythm, and causes them to have to drive when they are too tired to be behind the wheel.

Dangers of drowsy driving

Drowsy driving is an issue that is gaining more attention as lawmakers and law enforcement officers see more and more accidents that could be blamed on drivers who fall asleep or doze off while driving. The risk of teens being involved in a drowsy driving accident is even higher, as teens are new to driving and their inexperience combined with fatigue can be a deadly combination.

Young drivers only account for about six percent of all licensed drivers, but account for a full 19 percent of auto accident fatalities. This means that young drivers are more likely to be killed while driving than more experienced drivers.

Researchers caution that this study only reveals an association between early start times and car crashes. Further research is needed, but there may be a push to change school start times to accommodate teens’ need to sleep.

Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.

112 College Place

Norfolk, VA 23510

Toll Free: (800) 690-0235

Phone: (757) 622-7740

Fax: (757) 533-9223




Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Email: info@weislaw.com
www.weislaw.com