Estey & Bomberger injury attorneys
Call 24/7 for a free consultation (800) 260-7197
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Attorney Referral Information
    • Charitable Giving
    • Industry Awards
    • News
    • Testimonials
  • Our Attorneys
  • Dangerous Products & Mass Torts
    • Bard PowerPort
    • Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
    • IVC Blood Clot Filters
    • Military Base Water Contamination
    • Ozempic Lawsuits
    • Talcum Powder
    • Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse
    • Social Media Addiction Lawsuits
    • View All +
  • Catastrophic Injury
    • San Diego Personal Injury
    • San Diego Car Accidents
    • Los Angeles Personal Injury
    • View All +
  • Case Results
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Class Action vs. Mass Tort
    • Video Center
  • Contact
News Media Request A Free Consultation

What Are the Dangers of Falling Asleep at the Wheel?

December 18, 2018
  • News & Press

As a driver in California, it is your duty not to drive if you feel too fatigued to safely get to your destination. Drowsy driving could be detrimental not only to your own well-being but to that of everyone else on the roadway.

California Drowsy Driving Facts

Over a 10-year period, an estimated 41,228 people suffered injuries in drowsy driving crashes in California. The California Highway Patrol estimates an average of at least 100 deaths due to drowsy drivers each year. One in twenty-five adult drivers report falling asleep at the wheel in the previous 30 days. The true statistics for drowsy driving in California are likely much higher, but it is difficult for researchers to identify this as a primary cause of vehicle collisions. Certain people are more likely to drive drowsy:

  • Sleep-deprived drivers
  • Drivers with sleep apnea or insomnia
  • Drivers with undiagnosed sleep problems
  • Commercial vehicle drivers
  • Shift workers
  • Drivers traveling overnight
  • Drivers who take medications that cause drowsiness

Every driver in the state has a duty of care to others on the roadway. This duty is to reasonably prevent harm to other drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and road users. A driver’s duty involves knowing when he or she should not drive. For example, if the driver has imbibed alcoholic beverages or drugs – or if the driver has not gotten enough sleep. Breaking this duty of care could cause a deadly car accident in California.

Why Is Drowsy Driving So Dangerous?

Falling asleep at the wheel is so dangerous because it eliminates a driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle. It can be even more dangerous than drunk driving, because drowsiness can come on suddenly. A driver may not realize he or she is unfit to drive until it is too late and he or she has already dozed off at the wheel. Drunk driving, on the other hand, is something most drivers make the conscious decision to do. Drowsy drivers can lose the ability to make sound judgments, react quickly to changing roadway situations, and safely control their vehicles.

Tips for Avoiding Drowsy Driving

If you believe you are at risk of becoming a drowsy driver, take proactive steps to avoid causing an accident. First, recognize the signs of drowsiness. Frequent yawning and blinking, drifting out of your lane, hitting the rumble strips on the side of the road, forgetting the last few miles driven, and missing exits or turns are common signs of drowsy driving. If you notice these red flags, pull over and rest before getting back on the road. Caffeine, energy supplements, and tricks such as playing loud music are not safe alternatives to sleep when driving.

Prevent falling asleep at the wheel by getting plenty of sleep the night before a drive. Do not let trip preparations keep you up past your regular bedtime. Get at least eight full hours of sleep before a long drive or a night drive. Do not take any medications that could make you drowsy– especially cold or allergy medications. Receive treatment for any sleep disorders to help improve your sleep quality. Drive with someone else in the car to help keep you awake. Do not let your passenger sleep in the front seat. Instead, send him or her to the back seat for a nap.

If you will be driving more than 100 miles or for longer than two hours, schedule at least one break period to get out of the car and stretch your legs. Try to schedule your trip to avoid driving late at night or very early in the morning. If you do not trust yourself to complete a long drive without experiencing drowsy driving, consider using public transportation or carpooling instead.

If you were injured in an accident involving a distracted or drowsy driver, contact us at Estey & Bomberger, LLP about your case today! (619) 295-0035

Featured Articles

  • Do I Need an Ozempic Lawyer to File a Lawsuit?
  • Can Ozempic Cause Blood Clots?
  • GLP-1 Side Effect Lawyer
  • Bard PowerPort Catheter Fracture and Migration
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis Caused by Bard PowerPort

Categories

  • Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Brain Injury
  • Burn Injuries
  • Car Accidents
  • Dangerous Drugs
  • Defective Medical Devices
  • Dog Bite Injuries
  • FAQs
  • Information
  • Lawsuits
  • Mass Torts
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • News
  • News & Press
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Personal Injuries
  • Premises Liability
  • Public Transportation Accidents
  • Resources
  • Safety
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Truck Accidents
  • Uber Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
  • Zantac

Archives

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
Related Content
Related News
October 20, 2020
  • FAQs
  • Lawsuits
  • News & Press
Differences Between Mass Tort and Class Action Lawsuits By: EB.Admin Read More
June 28, 2019
  • News & Press
City of San Diego's Scooter Vehicle Code & Statutes By: EB.Admin Read More
June 26, 2019
  • News & Press
Are Electric Scooters Legal on Sidewalks in San Diego By: EB.Admin Read More
January 25, 2019
  • News & Press
What Percentage of Winnings Do Personal Injury Attorneys Get in CA? By: EB.Admin Read More
January 23, 2018
  • News & Press
Uber Driver Charged for Rapes in San Luis Obispo By: EB.Admin Read More
November 16, 2017
  • News & Press
FOX NEWS SAN DIEGO INTERVIEW ON RIDER SAFETY VISIBILITY By: EB.Admin Read More
August 16, 2017
  • News & Press
Ex-Uber Driver Arrested for Rape in San Diego, Trial Begins By: EB.Admin Read More
August 14, 2017
  • News & Press
How Safe Are Uber Rides? By: EB.Admin Read More
June 21, 2017
  • News & Press
People Love us on Yelp By: EB.Admin Read More
November 2, 2016
  • News & Press
Link Between TBI and Mental Illness By: EB.Admin Read More
How can we help you?

Request your free consultation today
and an attorney will get back to you shortly.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

*Required Field
Estey & Bomberger injury attorneys Call 24/7 for a free consultation
Serving Nationwide 2869 India St
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone (800) 260-7197 Get Directions
  • Copyright © 2025 Estey Bomberger
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
ilawyer logo

Notifications