Most drivers think of drunk or distracted driving as the biggest threats on the road, but fatigue can be just as dangerous. When exhaustion sets in, even a short drive across Huntsville can increase the risk of a car accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 684 fatalities in crashes involving a drowsy driver in 2021, accounting for about 1.6% of all motor vehicle deaths that year.

Understanding when you’re too drowsy to drive, and what to do about it, can save lives.

How Sleep Deprivation Impairs Driving Ability

Sleep deprivation slows the brain’s ability to process information, make decisions, and react to sudden changes. It also affects vision and coordination, which are critical for safe driving. Research shows that after just 17 hours without sleep, your brain reacts as if you’d had a few drinks: slower, less focused, and less coordinated. After around 24 hours, impairment may mimic a BAC of ~0.10%, well above the Alabama legal driving limit of 0.08% for most drivers.

When drivers are fatigued, they:

  • React more slowly to hazards such as a car braking ahead or a pedestrian crossing.
  • Have difficulty staying in their lane or maintaining a consistent speed.
  • Experience microsleeps, brief lapses in consciousness lasting a few seconds. At highway speeds, that can mean traveling the length of a football field without control.

These effects make drowsy driving comparable to drunk driving in both severity and unpredictability. Yet unlike alcohol impairment, there’s no simple test for fatigue, making awareness even more important.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving

The line between “a little tired” and “too drowsy to drive” is crossed more easily than most realize. Because drowsy driving is often underreported or difficult to detect after a crash, some safety organizations estimate the actual toll may exceed 1,500 fatalities annually. The CDC reports that about 1 in 25 adult drivers say they’ve fallen asleep at the wheel, a conservative figure that hints at the hidden scale of the problem.

If you catch yourself doing any of the following, it’s time to pull over:

  • Frequent yawning or blinking that doesn’t stop after a few minutes.
  • Difficulty keeping eyes open or heavy eyelids.
  • Nodding off or jerking awake, even for a split second.
  • Drifting between lanes, hitting rumble strips, or overcorrecting steering.
  • Missing exits, traffic signs, or turns because of zoning out.
  • Forgetting the last few miles driven or how you arrived at a location.

Any of these signs means your attention and reflexes are already compromised. Continuing to drive puts everyone on the road at risk.

How to Prevent Drowsy Driving

Fatigue is easiest to beat before you hit the road. Whether it’s a long trip or your daily commute, plan ahead with these simple habits:

  • Get seven to nine hours of sleep the night before driving.
  • Recognize your personal fatigue patterns. If you tend to feel sleepy in the mid-afternoon or late at night, avoid driving during those times.
  • Take breaks every two hours or 100 miles on long trips to stretch and recharge.
  • Use caffeine strategically. Coffee or energy drinks can offer a short-term boost, but they’re no substitute for real rest.
  • Avoid alcohol or sedating medications before driving. Even small amounts can worsen fatigue.
  • If you feel drowsy, pull over and nap safely. A 15–20 minute nap might restore enough alertness to reach your destination unharmed.

Remember, your goal isn’t to push through exhaustion; it’s to arrive safely.

High-Risk Groups for Drowsy Driving

Some drivers face a higher risk of fatigue due to their work schedules or underlying health conditions.

Among them are:

  • Shift workers who drive home after overnight shifts when their alertness is at its lowest.
  • Commercial truck and delivery drivers who spend long hours on the road under tight deadlines, sometimes pushing past federal hours-of-service limits.
  • Medical residents and healthcare professionals who often endure extended shifts with minimal rest.
  • People with untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, who experience interrupted breathing and poor-quality sleep.

For these groups, drowsy driving isn’t just possible, it’s predictable. Employers and individuals have a responsibility to recognize and manage fatigue risks before getting behind the wheel.

Legal Standards: When Fatigue Becomes Negligence

In Alabama, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. If a motorist causes a crash because they were too tired to drive, that exhaustion can be considered negligence or even reckless driving under Alabama law.

There’s no breathalyzer for exhaustion, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be proven. Investigators often look at evidence like:

  • Work or sleep records showing extended hours.
  • Phone or GPS data proving long, uninterrupted trips.
  • Eyewitness statements describing erratic driving behavior.

When fatigue contributes to a crash, victims have the right to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Get Help From Experienced Huntsville Car Accident Lawyers

If you were injured by a fatigued or drowsy driver, you shouldn’t have to carry the burden alone. At Tyler Mann Injury Law, our Huntsville car accident lawyers understand how fatigue-related crashes happen, and how to prove them.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help you after a drowsy driving accident.