What Is Fatigued Driving?

Fatigued driving is when someone drives while tired or exhausted. This can include yawning, feeling sleepy, and having trouble focusing on the road to dozing off for a few seconds at a time.

Why Fatigued Driving is So Dangerous

Even if you don’t fall asleep at the wheel, you can still be too tired to drive safely. That’s because being exhausted affects your reflexes and reaction times, making it harder to focus on the road, anticipate potential hazards, and react quickly if something goes wrong.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 25 adult drivers report falling asleep while driving in the previous 30 days, and many more admit to driving when they were sleep-deprived.

What makes fatigued driving so dangerous? Let’s take a closer look.

The Symptoms of Exhaustion

Some tell-tale signs indicate you may be too tired to drive safely. These symptoms include:

• Yawning frequently
• Having trouble keeping your eyes open
• Feeling irritable or restless
• Having difficulty remembering the last few miles you drove
• Drifting into other lanes or onto the shoulder of the road
• Trouble focusing on the task at hand
• Making poor decisions or judgment calls

If you start experiencing any of these symptoms while behind the wheel, it’s best to pull over somewhere safe and get some rest before continuing your journey.

Why Fatigue Is So Dangerous On The Road

Being exhausted behind the wheel is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In fact, people who are severely sleep-deprived can have reaction times similar to those with blood alcohol levels above 0.08%, which is considered legally intoxicated in most states. Even if you haven’t had a drop of alcohol and are too tired to drive safely, you could still face serious legal consequences if caught behind the wheel – including hefty fines and jail time.

Our Attorneys Are Your Advocates

Although drowsy driving is often unintentional, it can have potentially deadly consequences. If you’ve been in an accident caused by a fatigued driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you get the best possible outcome for your case.

Don’t wait to take action – contact a car accident attorney at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC by calling (888) 425-6070 or filling out our secure online contact form.