How Tired is Too Tired to Drive?

Most of us have found ourselves getting sleepy while driving, whether that means zoning out or feeling our eyes start to close or actually falling asleep at the wheel and jerking awake before any real harm was done. In a sleep-deprived nation, it can be difficult to tell when you’re just a bit tired and when you are too tired to drive safely. 

Two recent events illustrate just how important that distinction is, and how important it is to err on the side of caution if you think you might be too tired to drive.

Recent Drowsy Driving Incidents

Nurse Drives Off Top Level of Parking Garage

Last summer, an exhausted nurse leaving her shift at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston late at night decided to move her car to a less-lighted area of the parking garage and nap. Unfortunately, Boston 25 News reported, she fell asleep in the process and drove her vehicle through the guardrail and off the building. A bystander reported seeing the vehicle hit the top of a shed, then tumble into the brush. 

Massachusetts Man Falls Asleep at the Wheel and Kills Three

Just a few weeks before the incident above, a young Massachusetts man was driving through Pennsylvania when he fell asleep at the wheel near a construction zone. His vehicle hit a construction vehicle on the side of the road, which propelled his vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle hit and killed three construction workers. 

Know the Dangers of Drowsy Driving

The stories above are just two examples of the possible catastrophic results of driving while fatigued. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) has reported that 16-21% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents likely involve driving while fatigued. And that doesn’t include the countless near misses that can’t be tracked.

In one study, researchers simulated a 150 mile nighttime drive. To make conditions realistic, participants were incentivized to make the trip as quickly as possible, but also avoid crashing. At 20 mile intervals, they had the option to stop at a simulated rest area. They could leave the simulator, stretch their legs, eat, drink a caffeinated beverage, or even rest. 

Researchers gathered two types of data. They measured the percentage of time the drivers’ eyes were closed, but also surveyed them about how drowsy they felt. Unsurprisingly, levels of drowsiness increased as the drivers were at the wheel longer, and most drivers reported some degree of sleepiness. But researchers identified two significant issues: 

• One in four drivers who were sleepy enough to close their eyes for 15 seconds or longer within one minute rated their drowsiness as low, suggesting that a significant percentage of drivers may not recognize when they are dangerously drowsy on the road. 
• Even when drivers recognized and reported that they were seriously drowsy, they declined most opportunities to take breaks that might have refreshed them. 

In short, the study suggests that many drivers either don’t know they’re too tired to drive safely or continue to drive anyway. Too often, that means someone gets hurt or killed. 

Avoiding the Risks of Driving While Fatigued

Obviously, one of those problems is easier to solve than the others. Drivers who understand the risks of driving while fatigued can make smart decisions about when to get out of the car and move around, when to rest, when to caffeinate and even when to acknowledge that it’s time to stop for a longer rest.

The other is tougher to tackle, since a driver has to know–or at least suspect–that they’re too tired to drive in order to take corrective action. AAA offers some tips for recognizing when you’re too tired to safely operate a vehicle. These include: 

• Having a hard time keeping your eyes open
• Drifting out of your lane–either crossing the center line or drifting onto the shoulder of the road
• Not remembering the last few miles of driving

Of course, everyone is different. It’s important to know your own tells and danger signs. There are also some steps you can take to help avoid reaching that point. For example: 

• Plan to stop and get out of the car roughly every 100 miles, whether you feel like you need to or not
• If possible, drive with a passenger–another person in the car can keep you alert through interaction, and you can switch off driving
• Don’t drive if you’re taking medications that can make you sleepy or impair your response times
• Make sure to get at least seven hours of sleep before heading off on a long drive–the risk of accident increases dramatically as sleep time within the prior 24 hours is reduced
• Stop for a nap if you need to–even 20-30 minutes can make a difference for many people

Drowsy Driving is Negligent

There’s no specific law in Massachusetts (or most other states) that says you can’t drive when you’re tired. But, every driver has an obligation to operate their vehicle in a manner that is reasonably safe for others on the road and their property. A driver who continues to drive when they are too tired to do so safely may be found negligent, and so be responsible for any damages caused.

If you have been injured by a fatigued driver, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your rights and the types of damages you may be entitled to, you should speak with an experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can schedule a free consultation with attorney Kevin P. Broderick right now by calling 978-459-3085 or filling out the contact form on this page.