Getting behind the wheel without being properly rested is a decision that can be fatal, so it’s critical that drivers always honestly consider their level of drowsiness. Even if a driver is only slightly fatigued, there’s a chance of a microsleep.
A microsleep is a period of dozing that lasts only seconds, but even a five-second doze can lead to a deadly crash. In that short amount of time, the vehicle will move the full length of a football field if the driver is going 55 miles per hour. That’s a considerable amount of time for the vehicle to be without actual control of the vehicle.
Can fatigue impact driving abilities?
Besides microsleeps, there’s also a risk of impaired driving abilities if a driver is fatigued. As the time without sleep increases, the effects become greater. Eventually, the effects become similar to those of a legally impaired person.
Once a person goes 20 hours without sleep, the driver experiences the same impacts on their driving ability as a person who has a .08% blood alcohol concentration level. That comes with a negative change in their ability to control the vehicle and limitations to their ability to react appropriately to situations.
Individuals who suffer injuries in a fatigued driving crash should ensure they get immediate medical attention to address the injuries. The cost of the care they need may be expensive, so they may choose to seek compensation from the negligent driver who struck them. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial, so the victim can get their case moving forward before the statute of limitations expires.
