Speeding, drunk driving and aggression are all common causes of auto accidents and ticket violations. However, could drowsiness while driving violate the law? While no law prevents people from driving while sleepy, drowsy driving could still lead to traffic violations and serious legal trouble.
Drowsiness can cause drivers to lose focus, make poor judgments and fall asleep behind the wheel. As a result, a drowsy driver could be pulled over by the police and face a traffic ticket, accusations of impaired driving or even get involved in an auto accident.
How can you avoid a drowsy driving incident? Here’s what you need to know:
Understanding the causes of drowsy driving is part of the cure
A driver could be sleepy for many reasons. The following are common causes of drowsy driving:
- Poor sleep quality: People who do not sleep well or do not get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night could become drowsy and disoriented.
- Too much caffeine: Caffeine can prevent people from feeling sleepy. Too much caffeine could prevent people from getting to sleep, which could lead to drowsiness the next day.
- Medical condition: Some medical conditions, such as narcolepsy, may cause people to suddenly fall asleep. Other medical conditions, such as depression, could prevent people from getting enough sleep.
- Medicine side effects: Many medications have side effects that cause people to experience drowsiness.
- Being overworked: A long work shift or excessive work can lead to drowsiness and over-exhaustion.
- Age: As people get older, their quality of sleep may worsen. This can lead to exhaustion after doing too many things in one day, and it can be hard to learn to pace themselves.
Taking steps today to avoid a drowsy driving incident is smart – but mistakes happen. If you end up with a ticket for a traffic violation because you were a little sleepy, exercise your right to remain silent to avoid incriminating yourself. Seeking legal guidance is wise.