Drowsy Driving Can Be As Dangerous as Drunk Driving in Massachusetts, the photo shows a road sign along a Massachusetts highway that states

Driver’s fatigue, we’ve all been there. Between your demanding job and family obligations, getting the total 7-8 hours of sleep most adults need can be challenging. Driver’s fatigue happens during your commute home after an exhausting day at work. It also happens when you’ve decided to push through the night and forgo the hotel to save money during a family road trip.

Drowsy driving is a common but often overlooked danger on the road. 

What most people don’t realize is that driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, according to a Reuters report, driving sleepy and driving drunk both have the potential to double your risk of a car accident. Fatigue can also cloud an exhausted driver’s judgment, possibly leading to dangerous road rage incidents or other questionable driving decisions.

Road Trips are an excellent opportunity for a family to spend quality time together. If you plan on traveling during holiday weekends in particular, make sure you and your family are prepared to deal with traffic, road conditions, and potential car trouble before you hit the road. Also, be sure to plan your drive and rest time accordingly.

Driving while fatigued can impair your judgment, slow your reaction times, and increase the risk of an accident. Below are key tips and information to help you stay safe on the road, no matter when or where you drive.

Risks of Drowsy Driving in Massachusetts

Driving when you're sleep-deprived can have similar effects as driving under the influence of alcohol. Fatigue affects your ability to focus, process information, and react quickly to changing conditions on the road. Some studies suggest that being awake for 18 hours straight impairs driving as much as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. For reference, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts if you have a BAC of 0.08% or greater. 

Warning Signs of Drowsiness

Recognizing the signs of drowsiness can help you avoid accidents before they happen. If you experience any of the following, it's time to pull over and rest:

  • Frequent yawning or blinking
  • Drifting out of your lane
  • Missing road signs or exits
  • Difficulty remembering the last few miles driven
  • Hitting rumble strips on the side of the road

Tips for Preventing Drowsy Driving

  1. Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep before a long drive. Adequate sleep is one of the best ways to prevent drowsiness behind the wheel.
  2. Take Regular Breaks: On long trips, take a break every two hours or 100 miles to stretch, refresh, and assess whether you're still alert enough to continue.
  3. Share Driving Responsibilities: If possible, share the driving duties with a passenger. Having someone else take over driving for a while when you're feeling tired can help prevent accidents.
  4. Avoid Driving Late at Night: Your body naturally becomes tired in the late evening and early morning. Try to avoid driving during these times, particularly on long trips.
  5. Use Caffeine Strategically: Caffeine can temporarily help increase alertness but should not be relied upon for extended periods of wakefulness. It's best used for short-term boosts.
  6. Pull Over and Rest: If you feel yourself becoming drowsy, the safest option is to pull over and take a nap. Even a 20-minute nap can significantly improve alertness.

Ways To Stay Awake While Looking For A Place To Rest

  1. Open your windows: A cool, refreshing breeze can have a similar effect as cold water on the face. Take deep breaths, open your eyes wide, and enjoy the fresh air.
  2. Pull over and move around: If the fresh air doesn’t make you feel more alert, pull over and do some light exercise. Stretch, do some jumping jacks, or do anything else that might get your blood pumping. Getting out of your car and moving for a few minutes can help you regain the energy you need to stay alert while driving.
  3. Grab a cup of coffee: Every 24-hour gas station has coffee. You may even get lucky and find one that has good coffee. If coffee isn’t your thing, grab a cold, caffeinated beverage.
  4. Listen to music: Listening to some of your favorite upbeat classics can spark nostalgia and give you the extra push you need to get to your destination safely.
  5. Listen to your favorite podcast: Podcasts can be a more immersive experience than listening to music. There are literally thousands out there to choose from ranging in genre from comedy, sports, politics, and even history. (Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History is a great choice). Podcasts will usually require you to engage while listening and often question how you feel about a certain topic, which can help keep  your brain alert.

These tips are by no means a substitute for actual rest. If you find yourself driving drowsy, getting sleep should be your first priority.

If you are a passenger on a road trip, make sure you are doing your part. If possible, take turns driving, control the music, and help out with navigation so the driver can focus on the road. Sometimes, a driver doesn’t even realize how tired they are. As a passenger, keep an eye on the driver and check in every so often.

How Many Car Accidents Are Caused by Drowsy Driving in Massachusetts?

Drowsy driving causes a significant number of car accidents in Massachusetts each year, but exact numbers are hard to track. A study suggests that drowsy driving might account for nearly 18% of fatal car crashes nationwide, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. 

Most crashes caused by fatigued drivers happen in the late-night and early-morning hours, most often between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. This is a good reason for staying off the road between those hours if you can help it. There is also an increased risk of drunk driving in the late-night and early-morning hours, which is another reason not to drive through the night on a road trip unless you truly need to.

MassDOT tracks the causes of car crashes across the state, but drowsy driving crashes are underreported as it is difficult to determine the condition of a driver and how alert they were while driving after a crash. 

Legal and Insurance Implications of Drowsy Driving

In Massachusetts, accidents caused by drowsy driving can lead to serious legal consequences, especially if the crash results in injury or death. Insurance companies may also dispute claims involving drowsy driving, making it harder to recover compensation for damages. It's crucial to take the risk seriously and avoid driving while fatigued at all costs.

Check out the second part of this blog: Road Trips Part II: Top 10 Worst Driving States in the Country.

Injured in a Boston or Massachusetts Car Crash? Reach Out to Our Car Accident and Injury Attorney for a FREE Consultation

Car accidents are always terrifying and can result in serious injuries — especially if you were injured by a drowsy driver or caused an accident due to drowsy driving. 

Being hurt in a car crash is challenging enough. You have doctor’s visits, possible surgeries, and physical therapy to manage so you can heal. Thankfully, navigating the legal process and dealing with insurance companies doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. That’s what we’re here for.

If you or a loved one were injured in a Massachusetts car crash, you have rights and may be able to get compensation for your medical bills, time lost from work, pain and suffering, and more. Our car accident attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. 

Over the last three decades, we’ve helped thousands of people in Massachusetts get the recovery they need after a car accident injury. Recently, Boston Magazine named Attorney Spada one of Boston’s Top Personal Injury Lawyers. As personal injury lawyers, you never pay us a penny until we win your case. We’re here and ready to help.

We have three offices but proudly serve the entire state with the ability to meet with you remotely from the comfort of your own home. Contact us for a free consultation so we can learn more about your car accident and injuries and see how we can help you get the recovery you deserve.

Call or Text Spada Law Group for a Free Consultation Today: (508) 388-5606

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