Driving while drowsy or fatigued is similar to driving while intoxicated, as your reaction time and ability to process information are impaired. In severe cases, you may fall asleep while traveling on a Florida road or highway after a long day at work or if you’re awake for more than 20 hours for any reason.
The specific impacts of drowsy driving
Driving after staying awake for more than 20 consecutive hours is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .10%. In most states, the legal limit is .08% for those over 21 who have traditional licenses. Drivers who have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must typically keep their BAC under .04% while drivers under the age of 21 must refrain from having a BAC higher than .02%. At .10%, you have limited muscle control and difficulty regulating your emotions.
You could cause a severe accident
It’s possible that you won’t notice another vehicle in your path before it’s too late to avoid a motor vehicle accident. If an accident occurs on the highway, you could make contact with that vehicle at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour or more. This is enough to cause significant injuries or death to anyone in your car or the car that your vehicle collides with. As a general rule, drowsy driving is considered to be a negligent act, which means that victims may be entitled to compensation for their losses.
If you are involved in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, you may experience numerous injuries as well as experience significant property damage. You may be able to use video footage or a witness statement to show that the defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of any damages incurred.