Drowsy or fatigued driving is obviously unsafe behavior. When drivers are too tired, they are at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigue increases reaction times and diminishes the ability to make the right choice in a stressful situation.
Many safety experts compare the effects of fatigue to the consequences of alcohol consumption. Those who haven’t slept recently are at increased risk of causing crashes. Does Ohio state law include provisions either prohibiting or penalizing drowsy driving?
Commercial drivers face restrictions
Ohio traffic statutes mirror federal regulations. The law specifically prohibits a person from operating a commercial vehicle when they recognize that they are too drowsy or fatigued to do so safely. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) helps reinforce this standard by limiting drive times and mandating rest for those operating commercial vehicles, such as buses and semi-trucks.
There are no similar rules limiting the conduct of those operating passenger vehicles. Drivers who have gone an entire day without sleep can still get behind the wheel without breaking the law.
However, choosing to drive when obviously tired is at the very least a negligent decision. People injured by drowsy drivers may potentially be able to take legal action on the basis of negligent behavior instead of regulatory violations. Actually proving fatigue can be difficult if a driver does not admit to their drowsiness, but establishing that they did something unsafe in traffic is often a feasible strategy.
Reviewing a motor vehicle collision with a personal injury lawyer can help people understand their rights. Even in cases where unsafe conduct does not overtly violate state law, it may still be possible to hold a driver responsible for causing a preventable crash.