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Microsleep at the wheel: Nine injured in Dachau accident!
A 59-year-old driver caused a serious accident in Dachau by falling asleep, resulting in nine injuries and 60,000 euros in damage.
Microsleep at the wheel: Nine injured in Dachau accident!
On September 23, 2024, a serious accident occurred on a Bavarian road that turned the lives of several people upside down. A 59-year-old driver from the Dachau district, Michael T., had his birthday that day when he suddenly fell asleep on the way back from work. At 2:58 p.m. he lost control of his BMW, which veered into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with a civilian riot police vehicle containing four officers. These tragic minutes resulted in nine injuries and property damage amounting to around 60,000 euros [Merkur].
The person who caused the accident only suffered a hand injury, while his passengers and the officers escaped with abrasions and whiplash injuries. Eyewitnesses described how the BMW was heading towards them at speeds of around 100 km/h with no signs of braking. After the accident, Michael T. said: "It just cracked. I think I fell asleep." Despite this statement, he denied responsibility for the accident at the trial and claimed that he was looking for something in the footwell.
The causes of the accident
The term “microsleep” describes unintentionally nodding off while driving, which only lasts seconds but can have fatal consequences. Professional drivers or people who drive for long periods at a time are particularly at risk, as can be seen in several reports on the causes of accidents. According to the German Road Safety Council, microsleep is the cause of every fourth fatal accident on motorways. Such an event is not only one of the most dangerous, but is also classified as gross negligence. The legal consequences are far-reaching, including a fine or even imprisonment according to Section 315c StGB, as [Bussgeldkatalog](https://www.bussgeldkatalog.de/sekunden Schlaf-unfall/) explains.
However, Michael T. ultimately had to admit the mistake and accepted a penalty order that included a three-month driving license suspension and a fine of 3,000 euros. Judge Stefan Lorenz explained that although the accident was not intentional, it was negligent, which raises the question of responsibility.
Preventive measures and warning signals
The importance of preventive measures to avoid microsleep cannot be overestimated. Before a long journey you should get enough sleep and take breaks. Signs of fatigue, such as yawning or feeling like you are losing control of the vehicle, should be taken seriously. In fact, difficulties in speed control and memory problems arise when drivers suffer from fatigue, as also explained on [Bussgeldrechner](https://bussgeldrechner.com/sekunden Schlaf-unfall/).
Energy drinks or loud music hardly help against microsleep. The most effective measure remains to take appropriate sleep breaks, especially between 2 and 5 a.m. when the human organism tends to be tired.
This unfortunate incident involving Michael T. should serve as a reminder to be careful about your own health and driving conditions. Microsleep is a serious risk that should not be lightly underestimated.