Tips for Staying Awake While Driving

Driving safely requires staying alert behind the wheel. Unfortunately, data indicate that drowsy driving is not uncommon on U.S. roads. Drivers who fall asleep may cause accidents that could injure or kill other motorists and pedestrians.

Were you recently injured in such an accident? If so, compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other such losses may be available.

Contact our car accident attorneys at Munley Law for more information about your case. We’ll help you pursue the compensation you deserve. In the meantime, we offer the following tips to help you guard against falling asleep while driving.

The Deadly Reality of Fatigue-Related Accidents

Drowsy driving is a significant problem in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving crashes resulted in 693 fatalities on U.S. roads in 2022 alone. In 2017, approximately 91,000 police-reported crashes in the country involved sleepy motorists.

The legal implications of drowsy driving can vary depending on numerous factors. For example, while some states have laws prohibiting driving when a motorist knows they may struggle to stay awake, not all states have such laws.

Someone who causes an accident because they didn’t get adequate sleep may not always face criminal penalties. However, driving while sleep-deprived could be considered a form of negligence in a personal injury case resulting from an accident. If a drowsy driver has injured you, contact our legal experts for a comprehensive case evaluation.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Driver Fatigue

Never drive if you suspect there’s even a slight danger of falling asleep at the wheel because you haven’t gotten enough rest. It’s also important to monitor yourself for signs of drowsiness, as it’s possible to fall asleep behind the wheel without realizing how tired you are. Signs to be on the lookout for include:

• Frequent yawning
• Difficulty keeping your eyes open
• Difficulty remembering the basic details of the last few miles you traveled
• Missing exits or realizing you overlooked traffic signs or signals
• Difficulty maintaining your lane
• A generally restless or irritable mood that you’d associate with not getting enough sleep

Get off the road if you think you’re at risk of falling asleep. Of course, even if you take proper steps to avoid drowsy driving, you can’t ensure others will do the same.

Proactive Strategies to Prevent Drowsy Driving

Paying attention to warning signs indicating you may be drowsy behind the wheel is important. It’s also wise to take steps to guard against sleep-deprived driving in the first place. Specific steps to take include:

• Prioritize sleep hygiene
• Make sure you get enough sleep before a road trip
• Plan a long road trip so you’re able to take frequent breaks when necessary
• Know rest stop locations ahead of time so you’re prepared to take breaks safely
• Estimate the potential length of your trip based on factors like traffic conditions, when you’ll be leaving, etc.
• Make lifestyle changes to improve alertness, such as working out or meditating to manage stress

Practical Techniques to Stay Awake on the Road

What’s most important is getting off the road if you think you’re too drowsy to drive safely. That said, there are practical steps you can take to stay alert during car trips, such as:

• Using caffeine responsibly
• Keeping the window open or the air conditioning on, as cool air promotes alertness
• Using music, podcasts, or other such (safe!) means to help you stay mentally alert
• Interacting with companions and letting others take over driving duties

Injured due to driver fatigue? We’re here to protect your rights.

Advanced Safety Technologies and Drowsy Driving Prevention

Various emerging car safety technologies may reduce the prevalence of drowsy driving. For example, crash avoidance systems can alert drowsy drivers when their vehicles stray too close to others. Driver monitoring technologies can also alert drivers when they show signs of falling asleep.

These technologies may have legal implications in drowsy driving crash cases. For instance, a designer or manufacturer might share liability with a motorist if these technologies failed before a crash.

Legal Considerations of Drowsy Driving

Negligence in a car accident case generally means a motorist failed to consider the safety of others in some capacity. Driving when one felt drowsy could be an example of negligence.

A victim of a drowsy driving accident could file an insurance claim seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and related losses. However, the insurance company may attempt to avoid paying a claimant by arguing there’s no proof of negligence. Thus, it may be necessary to investigate and gather evidence showing that a motorist was impaired.

Our experienced attorneys can help with drowsy driving accidents. Call us and find out how we can help you gather evidence.

When to Stop Driving: Making Safe Choices

Pull over and get some rest if you notice any of the warning signs of fatigued driving. When doing so, indicate your plans to pull over and make sure you do so thoroughly. Put on your hazard lights to alert other motorists to your presence. Of course, if you’re able to pull off and park at a rest stop, parking lot, or other such location, that’s preferable.

You may also consider alternative transportation options instead of driving when there’s even a minor chance you’re too tired to. For example, you can call a cab, use public transportation, or schedule a ride with Uber or Lyft.

Just remember, it’s also important to pay attention to signs that other drivers with whom you’re sharing the road are also fatigued. If you notice any warning signs, keep your distance accordingly. If you have been injured in an accident involving a drowsy driver, contact Munley Law to discuss seeking the compensation you may deserve.