When you’re at the wheel, it’s imperative that you pay full attention to the road.
While distracted or drunk driving are often talked about as being incredibly hazardous, there’s another deadly form of inattention that can cause accidents or injuries. Drowsy driving presents a concern for road safety, and it causes hundreds of thousands of crashes every year.
In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that almost 600 people died from drowsy driver crashes, although other reports, such as the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, have research that raises that number closer to 6,000.
Needless to say, drowsy driving is extremely dangerous. In this article, our lawyers at García Injury Law shed some light on why this is such a prevalent cause of car accidents in Texas and what you can do to help.
Drowsy Driving Is a Problem in Texas
In 2010, Texas had the largest percentage of admittedly drowsy drivers, nearly two percent more than the national average. In a more recent study that evaluated the range of drowsy driving crashes from 2016 to 2020, Texas ranked third in percentage among all the states but had the highest number of fatalities during that time.
It’s important to remember that going without sleep for 24 hours is the equivalent of having a blood alcohol content of .10%. That’s higher than the percentage to be considered a drunk driver. These staggering drowsy driving statistics are almost completely avoidable, but prevention requires drivers to check in with themselves to make sure they’re capable of driving and arriving safely at their destination without getting too tired.
Why Do Texas Drivers Get Behind the Wheel While Drowsy?
In this hustle economy, many Americans are working more jobs, which means more hours engaged in active work or commuting with minimal rest in between. Additionally, the average commute time in Texas is a little over 26 minutes, meaning that most commuters have almost an hour round trip added on to their regular work day, leaving less time for themselves.
Drowsy driving can cause the same dangers as a drunk driver. A drowsy driver is not as alert, which means they aren’t aware of the changing environment around them. Reaction times for drivers who lack proper sleep are slower, and their responses and judgment calls to hazards are not quick or effective. While some innovative automotive technology — like lane departure technology or cameras that monitor a driver’s attention — can assist in sounding the alarm when drowsy drivers create unsafe situations, it’s safest to be fully alert when driving.
You Could Be a Drowsy Driver in Texas
If you have a bad night’s sleep, have been woken up throughout the night, or otherwise haven’t gotten an adequate amount of rest, you could easily be a drowsy driver and cause hazards on the road for yourself and others. Watch to make sure you aren’t engaging in dangerous behaviors because you’re overtired. Signs that you may be a drowsy driver are:
- Nodding off behind the wheel
- Not remembering driving for miles at a time
- Driving at inconsistent speeds
- Weaving or drifting into other lanes
- Not realizing you missed your turn
- Letting your mind wander
Certain sleep disorders may also prove to be a danger when driving. If you think you have a sleep disorder, check in with your doctor about solutions. Shift workers and commercial drivers who work long hours on the road may also be at risk for drowsy driving. Preparing yourself for work includes preparing yourself to drive.
Ways to Prevent Drowsy Driving
The way to prevent drowsy driving is to ensure you put yourself — your health and safety — first. Make sure you:
- Get an adequate amount of sleep each night; while a little over seven hours is the recommended amount, everyone’s needs vary.
- Give yourself downtime to relax during the day so that you feel more refreshed.
- Keep to the same sleep schedule throughout the week.
- Avoid sleeping medications, as they can sometimes affect your driving abilities the following day.
- Avoid alcohol for the obvious reasons of impairment, but also because alcoholic drinks can make you drowsy.
- For longer trips, bring along a driving buddy who can share the driving time and help keep you awake.
- Remember to take breaks when driving long distances.
- Keep your car cooler; a warmer environment can make it easier to fall asleep.
- Avoid driving when you usually would be sleeping.
- Having a snack may help you stay awake, although you don’t want to be too full.
- Be conscious of any medication you take that makes you tired.
- If you feel yourself getting drowsy, find a place to pause and rest.
Taking these precautions and staying alert behind the wheel can keep our Texas roads safer.
Use Sparingly: Facts About Caffeine
While caffeine is used as fuel to keep people awake, it’s possible it can sometimes have the reverse effect for various reasons. It’s also possible to experience increased tiredness after the effects of caffeine wear off, negating the reason for drinking the coffee or energy drink in the first place. While caffeine can be helpful, it shouldn’t be relied upon to stay awake. Remember, no amount of caffeine will equal a good night’s sleep.
Consequences of Drowsy Driving in Texas
As of right now, there are no laws in Texas that ban drowsy driving, although there are awareness campaigns to spread the word on how dangerous it is. However, if an officer sees that you are driving erratically, weaving in and out of lanes, or otherwise seeming incapacitated, they have the right to pull you over. You can still receive a ticket for your actions while driving drowsy, including being fined for:
- Forgetting to signal a lane change
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the speed limit
- Forgetting to signal when you’re turning
- Drifting onto the wrong side of the highway
- Driving dangerously around pedestrians
The fines for these tickets can cost you hundreds of dollars and add up in terms of total amount and points to your driving record. Another consequence of drowsy driving may be an increase in insurance. If you get into a crash and you are responsible, your insurance rates will increase. This is on top of any ticket you might receive for making dangerous decisions when driving while tired.
Contact García Injury Law Today
Our car accident lawyers at García Injury Law understand how life-changing it is to experience an accident with a drowsy driver. You shouldn’t have to be responsible for someone else’s driving habits. If you’ve been injured by a drowsy driver, we’re here to help you gain your rightful compensation. Call our firm at 512-474-4487 or connect with us online.
