Drowsy Driving: What You Need to Know

Drowsy driving continues to be a massive problem in the United States. While many people understand how drunk driving could pose a safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike, they also might not know there are incredibly few differences between driving under the influence and driving while fatigued. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 1 in 25 adult drivers report having fallen asleep while driving in the 30 days before answering the survey. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also estimated around 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013 resulted from drowsy driving. Drowsy driving is incredibly dangerous because sleep deprivation can have similar effects on the body as drinking alcohol. Your concentration falls, you are less capable of responding quickly in emergency situations, and, if you fall asleep, you have 0 visibility of the road. Some studies have shown being awake for 18 hours straight makes people drive similarly to people who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. The legal BAC limit in most states is 0.02% for underage drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.08% for standard drivers. Likewise, if you’ve gone a full 24 hours without sleeping, you’re operating on the cognitive level of a person with a BAC of 0.10%. If you are experiencing signs of sleep deprivation, such as yawning and blinking frequently, difficulty remembering the past few miles driven, missed exits, and lane drifting, consider pulling over to rest or have your passenger drive. Losing control of your vehicle because of drowsy driving could make you liable for any car accident that may occur. Talk to one of our skilled Toledo car accident lawyers if you or a loved one were harmed by a negligent driver. We are dedicated to helping people seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Our firm has more than 100 years of combined legal experience to offer your case. Let us see what we can do for you. Contact us at (419) 719-5195 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.