Driving to work while wishing you could have stayed in bed for a few more hours might seem normal. Many people feel drowsy on their morning commutes or other times throughout the day, whether because they did not sleep well the night before or simply haven’t fully woken up yet.
While it may be common, the dangers of drowsy driving are immense. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that at least 100,000 car accidents happen each year due to drowsy driving, injuring an average of 40,000 people and causing over 1,500 deaths. Many researchers equate the impairment of drowsy driving to that of being under the influence of alcohol.
Understanding the risks of this activity is the first step in preventing future accidents.
Common Causes of Drowsy Driving
According to the National Safety Council, as many as 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep while behind the wheel. This figure does not account for those who have driven while fatigued but did not fall asleep.
Why is drowsy driving so common? A few prevalent causes of the practice include:
- Sleep deprivation: Many people simply do not get enough sleep each night, whether due to lifestyle choices or sleep disorders.
- Long driving hours: Driving for extended periods can lead to sleepiness. Operating a vehicle requires significant energy and focus, which can quickly exhaust drivers who are behind the wheel for several hours in a row.
- Medications: Certain prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs can induce drowsiness. Drivers should always check their medication warnings before operating a vehicle.
- Shift work: Nurses, factory workers, and other shift workers often adopt irregular sleep schedules. Shift work can disrupt the circadian rhythm, impacting sleep quality.
- Untreated sleep disorders: Around 30 million people in the U.S. have sleep apnea, but as many as 80% of them are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea lowers the quality of sleep, making people feel more drowsy even if they slept for eight hours or more.
Unfortunately, getting good sleep every night is a rather uncommon occurrence for the majority of Americans. Many do not realize the dangers of drowsy driving and routinely operate their vehicles while fatigued.
The Dangers Associated With Driving Drowsy
Drivers are often surprised to learn that drowsy driving is akin to drunk driving. They may feel more in control of their reaction times and decision-making abilities while fatigued than drunk. However, many people do not realize when they are drowsy.
One study of fatigued drivers found that even when drivers’ eyes were closed for more than 15 seconds or longer, 25% of participants rated their drowsiness as “low.” Even when drivers realized they were extremely drowsy, they declined 75% of their chances to take breaks.
But the dangers of drowsy driving are significant:
- Impaired reaction time: A test of reaction times showed that people who were tired due to disrupted sleep performed as poorly as those who were legally drunk. Fast reaction times are needed to brake suddenly, react to changing traffic lights, avoid hazards, and act defensively toward other drivers’ errors.
- Reckless and impaired judgment: Unfortunately, sleep deprivation effects can impair your ability to judge your own drowsiness and state of mind. It impacts your ability to make decisions while behind the wheel, such as knowing when to brake vs. driving through a yellow light or when to leave space for drivers to merge in front of you.
- Microsleeps while driving: Microsleeps are brief episodes of sleep that last a few seconds, often without a person’s awareness. Dozing for even three seconds while going 60 mph means you have traveled 300 feet without being consciously aware.
- Increased accident risk: All of these consequences increase your likelihood of being involved in a car accident. Driving while fatigued puts you and everyone else on the road at risk of serious injury or even death. It is one of the common causes of collisions across the U.S.
Signs You Should Stop Driving To Rest
As mentioned, many people do not realize they are too drowsy to drive. Being fatigued impairs your ability to judge your state of mind. However, you can look for a few signs that may indicate you are fatigued and should stop to rest.
- Yawning or blinking frequently
- Realizing you cannot remember the last few miles driven
- Overlooking traffic signs or missing exits
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Drifting from your lane or frequently hitting rumble strips
Research indicates that going 24 hours without sleep is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of approximately 0.10%, two percentage points higher than the legal limit. Similarly, being awake for 18 hours impairs driving similarly to having a BAC of 0.05%.
Driving without sleep is incredibly dangerous and comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol. No matter how much you want to reach your destination or resist the urge to take a break, remember that stopping to rest is an act of selflessness. Even if you think you may be okay to drive the rest of the way, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Tips To Avoid Drowsy Driving
You cannot always control how well you sleep, but you do have control over several variables involved in your sleep health. You can avoid the dangers of drowsy driving by:
- Going to bed at least eight hours before you have to wake up, especially when you need to drive the next morning
- Scheduling stops every two hours or 100 miles and making yourself take breaks, even if you do not feel tired
- Avoiding alcohol and sedatives entirely before driving, as these can exacerbate drowsiness and pose a range of other risks
- Traveling with a passenger whenever possible and taking shifts during long drives. Staying engaged in conversation can also help you feel more alert.
- Avoid relying on caffeine to keep you alert. While caffeine can lead to periods of alertness, it does not actually give your body energy and is only a temporary crutch.
What To Do If You Feel Sleepy Driving
Now that you are aware of the dangers of drowsy driving, you can be more vigilant about your own habits. If you ever start to feel sleepy, follow these tips:
- Find a safe place to stop: As soon as you can, pull over into a safe area, such as a parking lot. Stand up, stretch, and walk around a bit to improve alertness.
- Take a short nap: A short 15- to 20-minute nap may be what you need to feel more alert for the remainder of your drive.
- Ask to switch with a passenger: If you are riding with another person, ask them to take over for you.
- Avoid relying on tricks/chemicals: While opening windows, turning up the radio, or drinking caffeine may help temporarily, they are not long-term solutions and may not effectively eliminate your risk of accidents.
Drowsy Driving and Your Car Accident Case
The legal consequences of drowsy driving should not be overlooked. If you are at fault in an accident, you may face significant liability for other drivers’ injuries and damages. You may also be charged with reckless driving, which could constitute a felony or misdemeanor. Loss of license, fines, and jail time are just a few potential penalties.
At Sadaka Law, we understand the dangers of drowsy driving and how they contribute to a wide range of accidents. Contact our personal injury lawyers today at 800-810-3457 to schedule a legal consultation.
