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Drowsy driving can be extremely dangerous. As reported by the National Safety Council (NSC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there are around 100,000 police-reported fatigued driving accidents annually. However, a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the actual number of drowsy driving accidents is more likely above 300,000. These accidents are to blame for thousands of preventable deaths each year.

As Naples personal injury lawyers, we know the risks of drowsy driving all too well. We also know how to spot when driver fatigue may have been a factor in an accident. Below are five signs that some individuals may be too tired to drive.

1. They Woke Up Early to Go to Work

Many drowsy driving accidents happen during the early morning hours. Waking up to an alarm without getting a full night’s rest can leave people feeling fatigued (whether they realize it or not), which can significantly impair their driving abilities. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night to ensure that they can stay alert behind the wheel.

2. They Are Driving Home from a Long Day at Work (or a Late Night Out)

Many drowsy driving accidents also happen in the evening hours and late at night. When heading home from a long day at work, many people are too tired to operate their vehicles safely. Both physical and mental fatigue can lead to drowsiness, and many don’t realize how tired they are until they sit down and take a break. Unfortunately, when a person sits down in the driver’s seat, they might not realize that they are too tired to drive until it is too late.

Driving home after a late night out can also be dangerous. Drowsiness is enough to increase someone’s risk of causing an accident on its own, but in many cases, alcohol is a factor as well. When the impairing effects of drowsiness are paired with the effects of alcohol intoxication, this can be a recipe for disaster.

3. They Appear to Be Nodding Off While Behind the Wheel

If it looks like someone is nodding off while behind the wheel, they probably are. If you see someone who appears to be falling asleep while actively driving, you should try to stay as far away as possible. You can pass them if it is safe (and legal) to do so; otherwise, stay back and give them plenty of buffer room until you have another safe alternative.

4. They are Driving Like Someone Who is Drunk

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), “drowsy driving and drunk driving bear some similarities and are considered equally dangerous.” The NSF also reports that “after approximately 18 hours of being awake, the effects on reaction time, vigilance, multi-tasking, and hand-eye coordination are comparable to having a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. After 20 hours of being awake, drowsy drivers are impaired on a level equal to a 0.08% blood alcohol content, which is the current legal limit in most states.” This includes Florida.

Some examples of signs of drowsiness that are comparable to those of alcohol intoxication include:

• Weaving on the road
• Failing to maintain a consistent speed
• Failing to maintain a consistent and appropriate distance from other vehicles
• Delayed reaction time
• Compromised decision-making ability

5. They Don’t Respond To Their Surroundings

Another telltale sign that a person is too tired to drive is that they are not responding to their surroundings—or at least not responding in a timely manner. For example, if someone blows through an intersection without slowing down (and without the right of way), this may be because they are asleep behind the wheel. Drifting off of the road at a bend or stopping just in time when a driver had plenty of time to slow down are also common signs that a driver is too tired to be on the road.

Contact the Naples Personal Injury Lawyers at Spivey Law Firm

The Naples personal injury lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. represent individuals and families who are coping with the effects of vehicle collisions caused by tired drivers. If you need legal representation for a collision in Florida, we encourage you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our firm’s founder, Randall L. Spivey. To schedule an appointment as soon as possible, call 239-793-7748 (or we can be reached toll-free at 888-477-4839), or contact us online now.