The safety of teens on the road can largely depend on the amount of sleep they get. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 8 to 10 hours for 13- to 18-year-olds. At the same time, teens tend to sleep late into the day, which can cause a conflict when schools start so early in the morning. One way to avoid this conflict, then, would be to change the times when school starts in Ohio.
How teen drivers can avoid distraction on the road
Teen and young adult drivers in Ohio are just as prone to distraction as those in other states. Indeed, there is a nationwide trend where drivers of all ages are becoming distracted by their smartphones. In a survey conducted by The Zebra, 38% of younger respondents (aged 18 to 24) admitted to texting behind the wheel.
Driving on fewer than 6 hours of sleep can be deadly
Auto safety pioneer criticizes stalled federal safety testing
Consumers in Ohio have depended on federal automotive safety ratings to guide their purchases since the 1990s. The federal five-star safety rating system arose in large part from the leadership of a safety advocate at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Her efforts alongside other automotive safety pioneers lead to the development of crash testing and crash-test dummies. Now, she works with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and she has published a report that is strongly critical of the federal government's apparent abdication of safety leadership.
Why is distracted driving a huge issue?
Time change linked to more car crashes
Many Ohio residents look forward to the advent of Daylight Saving Time. Not only does the change mean that spring weather is on the way, people look forward to later evenings of sunlight after leaving work or school. However, some warn that the switch in the clocks is associated with a greater risk of severe or even fatal car crashes. By turning the clock ahead one hour, people may also lose out on an hour of sleep. While the time change is scheduled for a weekend in an attempt to affect the smallest number of people, there are many people who still keep to a strict schedule on Sunday morning.
