Like many others, you have probably been behind the wheel of your vehicle while you were tired. It’s normal to be sleepy in the morning on your way to work or to find yourself yawning while you are running errands in the afternoon. However, there is a difference between being a little sleepy and being dangerously fatigued.
Drowsy driving is a serious problem, and it may be a more prevalent issue than you realize. Most people are unaware of how dangerous it is to get behind the wheel while fatigued and how much it can increase the chance of a car accident. Like drunk driving and distracted driving, drowsy driving is negligent and reckless, and it unnecessarily places others at risk for injury.
Why is it so dangerous to be tired?
People often underestimate how dangerous it can be to get behind the wheel while tired. In fact, people are often unaware of how tired they actually are and how drowsiness can impact their ability to safely operate a vehicle. Some of the ways that fatigue can affect the way a person drives include:
- When a person is overly tired, he or she has a decreased ability to pay attention to what is happening on the road.
- Drowsiness can slow a driver’s reaction times when there is a hazard, especially if it means he or she needs to brake or steer suddenly.
- Sleepiness can affect a driver’s ability to make good decisions while operating a vehicle.
Anyone can be a dangerously fatigued driver. However, there are certain types of people who may be more prone to this. Shift workers, people with certain types of medical conditions or drivers who take certain medications may be more likely to be dangerously tired. Regardless of the reason why a person is tired, each person is responsible for the choices made while behind the wheel, especially if they cause harm to another motorist.
The aftermath of an accident
If you believe you are the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver, you have options. It is possible to hold liable parties accountable for their choices through a personal injury claim, which may give you the ability to recoup some of your losses. You may find it beneficial to speak with an attorney regarding the legal options available to you through the Illinois civil justice system.