According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 30% of adults in the United States get less than six hours of sleep every night. It’s recommended that adults get at least between six and eight hours of sleep every night in order to be able to function adequately throughout the following day. As a result of the lack of sleep, millions of people who are sleep-deprived get behind the wheel and out onto the road. But is drowsy driving illegal in Texas? This is a serious issue in a state like Texas, where there is little public transportation and commutes can be long.
According to a study conducted by the CDC in 2013, approximately 6.1% of residents in Texas admitted that they have fallen asleep while driving. This statistic represented the biggest rate among a total of 19 other states that participated in the study. This is a serious issue due to the risk of injury and/or death. Drowsy driving, as the issue is commonly referred to, causes over 100,000 vehicular accidents per year, and over 70,000 injuries and 1,500 fatalities.
While other forms of reckless driving are more stigmatized and seen as reckless (ie drunk driving), people are often praised for working long hours or even sacrificing hours of sleep in favor of being productive. Unfortunately, research shows that both drunk driving and drowsy driving pose very similar threats in terms of risk of injury to pedestrians, other drivers, and themselves.
One of the biggest concerns as it pertains to drowsy driving seems to be legislation. Drowsy driving is difficult to define. Drunk driving and speeding, both of which are leading causes of auto accidents in the state of Texas, are much easier to both measure and observe. Drowsy drivers are likely to remain a prominent and dangerous presence on the roadways throughout Texas.
Falling asleep while driving is extremely dangerous. Even feeling drowsy can have an adverse affect on your ability to safely drive, even if you don’t fall asleep.
Drowsiness can affect a driver in the following ways:
- Not pay attention to the road
- lower reaction times.
- Affects overall ability to make more informed decisions\
Some of the most notable warning signs of drowsy driving to watch out for are:
- Frequently blinking or yawning
- Having difficulty remembering how many miles you have driven
- Missing the exit that you were supposed to take
- Drifting from one lane to another
- Hitting a rumble strip
Some individuals are more likely to drive drowsy than others. These include the following:
- Those who do not get enough sleep
- Commercial drivers
- Shift workers
- Drivers who have untreated sleep disorders
- Drivers who are on medications that make them sleepy
Some states already have laws against Drowsy Driving, like New Jersey, where it falls under the umbrella of reckless driving. As of 2013, Texas recognizes November 6th-12th as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, but has not changed the status of whether drowsy driving is illegal in Texas. This does not mean, however, that you cannot be arrested for reckless driving that you commit due to exhaustion.
Thank you for reading the legal news blog of The Law Office of Gabriella Young. Contacting an experienced attorney right when you are charged is incredibly important for the wellbeing of your case. We are an Austin, Travis County, and Williamson County criminal defense firm experienced in license reinstatement, DWI, and reckless driving and our jail release assistance is available 24/7. We are dedicated to our clients and their futures, and will handle your case with compassion and dedication!