Some signs of being too tired to drive are easy to recognize because they are familiar indications that we need sleep. We may not so easily identify other symptoms as warnings that we are fatigued.
The following behaviors are common symptoms of driving fatigue
- Yawning
- Can’t keep eyes open
- Nodding off
- Trouble concentrating or wandering thoughts
- Don’t remember the last few miles
- Drifting across lane lines
- Missing road signs and driving past turns
- Failure to maintain consistent speeds
Tips to Help Drivers Avoid Drowsy Driving
Of course, the best way to avoid driver fatigue is to get an adequate amount of sleep before driving. Even with enough sleep, there may be times of the day when alertness decreases and people become drowsy. This is especially true after being on the road for an extended period.
The following tips can help drivers stop falling asleep at the wheel:
- Drive with someone else and take turns driving.
- Schedule regular breaks on long road trips.
- Avoid driving when you would normally sleep or when you get tired.
- Make sure vehicle warning and alert systems are working.
- If you feel yourself getting drowsy, find a safe place to pull over and rest for 30 minutes.
- Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
Some other ways people may try to keep themselves awake when they get sleepy while driving are not effective. Things like opening a window, turning on the air conditioner, or playing music very loudly will not make you less drowsy.
Driving is one activity that demands a driver’s full attention. Driver fatigue will dull a motorist’s perception and significantly slow down their reaction times to unexpected events. If a driver goes so far as to fall asleep at the wheel, it only takes a second or two of inattention for a crash to occur.
Though a recognized risk factor for accidents, experts agree that driving drowsy likely contributes to far more crashes than the statistics reveal because there’s really no way to test for driver fatigue after an accident. People may not think too much about how dangerous the consequences may be when they drive drowsy. Knowing the symptoms of driving fatigue can help people plan to drive when they are more alert and prevent unnecessary accidents.
Driving Fatigue Is a Significant Risk Factor for Accidents
According to the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2023 Drowsy Driving Survey, crashes due to driver fatigue account for approximately 20% of all motor vehicle accidents. About 16% of the teenage drivers surveyed and 60% of the adults admitted to having driven drowsy. Though the majority of drivers agreed that driving while fatigued is a risk, most saw it as less of a crash risk than driving under the influence or distracted driving.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 8,300 fatal accidents occurred across the United States in 2021 due to driver fatigue. Most crashes involving drowsy drivers occur between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoons during natural periods of decreased alertness. Drowsy drivers are also more likely to be found on rural roadways.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported ‘fatigued or asleep’ as the crash contributing factor in 103 fatal accidents and 461 suspected serious crashes in 2023. The Texas Transportation Code forbids a person from operating a motor vehicle if the person’s alertness or ability to operate the vehicle is impaired for any reason – including fatigue.
The Problem of Teenage Drowsy Driving
The NSF study revealed that 1 in 6 teens who received their driver’s licenses in the previous two years have already driven while drowsy.
Teens cited school and work commitments as the reasons for not getting enough sleep. These young drivers trying to balance school and work were more than twice as likely to struggle to stay awake behind the wheel.
How Driving Fatigue Affects the Ability to Drive
Driving fatigue or drowsy driving is a condition describing a driver who is impaired due to lack of sleep. The effect of drowsiness is similar to the effect of alcohol on a person’s ability to drive. It compromises awareness, delays reaction time, and interferes with decision-making capabilities.
A study done by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety looked at how varying amounts of sleep affected the risk of getting into an accident. Key findings from the study included:
- Drivers who slept less than 7 hours out of 24 had a significantly elevated crash risk.
- Drivers who slept less than 4 hours had 11.5 times the crash rate of drivers who slept at least 7 hours.
- Drivers who slept only an hour less than the usual amount of time increased their crash risk.
- Drivers who have slept 2 hours or less in 24 hours are not fit to drive.
The study concluded that the estimated crash risk after having only 4-5 hours of sleep was comparable to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or over the legal limit in the US (except Utah) of .08. Getting less than 4 hours of sleep can affect driving performance almost as significantly as driving with a BAC 2 times the legal limit.
Contact Us If You’ve Been Injured in an Accident
Drivers have a responsibility to be alert and attentive while driving. Drowsy drivers cannot pay adequate attention to what’s going on around the vehicle and won’t be able to respond effectively to unexpected traffic or road conditions. Driving fatigue is a dangerous risk factor for accidents, and drowsy drivers make the roads less safe for all Texans.
The car accident lawyers at Liggett Law Group have over 70 years of combined legal experience advocating on behalf of clients injured in motor vehicle accidents in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. If you or a loved one have been injured by the wrongful actions of another driver, Liggett Law Group will fight to protect your rights and secure your financial future. Schedule a free consultation with a law firm committed to integrity, advocacy, and results.