Two car accidents that took place Saturday morning resulted from the drivers falling asleep, according to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.
The first car accident happened at about 5:20 a.m. on Pacific Coast Highway near the Malibu Beach Inn. A driver headed eastbound on PCH drifted to the right and struck five parked vehicles and uprooted hedges in front of the Inn. The driver had four passengers, including a child.
The second car accident happened at about 5:40 a.m. in the 33000 block of PCH. A driver headed westbound drifted off the road and slammed into a tree. The driver, a male, and his female passenger suffered injuries and were transported to a local hospital.
Neither of the car accidents involved alcohol, according to Sergeant Mark Bock.
The number of car accidents resulting from driving while drowsy has been on the upswing. The National Sleep Foundation is seeking to educate drivers about the risks involved when driving tired, including a slowed reaction time, impaired vision, and increased likelihood of veering into oncoming lanes. Research has found that driving drowsy is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .08%. Driving while sleepy and under the influence of alcohol can lead to a deadly combination.
If you have been injured in a car accident, speak with a Santa Monica personal injury lawyer at McGee, Lerer and Associates. Attorneys Daniel McGee and Catherine Lerer are a husband and wife team of accident attorneys with over 40 of combined experience representing serious injury victims.