Those who choose to drive on Montana roads should make sure that they are not sleep deprived or under the influence of sleep medication. According to a Consumer Reports survey, roughly 20% of respondents who took prescription sleep aids did so less than seven hours before driving a vehicle. The directions say that an individual should wait at least seven hours before driving to avoid doing so while groggy.
Individuals who drive while sleep deprived could experience the same effects as those who drive while under the influence of alcohol. Driving after being awake for 24 consecutive hours is the same as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .10%, which is above the legal limit of .08%. A study conducted by AAA in 2018 found that 9.5% of crashes are caused by drowsy drivers.
Those who feel tired despite sleeping at least seven or eight hours a night should talk to their doctors. A sleep disorder or other health problem could be preventing them from getting adequate rest. As long drives can make a person tired, those who are driving for several hours should have a plan before they leave home. It is generally a good idea to take a break every two hours to avoid driving while fatigued.
If someone is injured by a negligent driver, the injured victim may be entitled to a financial award. The award might help pay medical bills related to the accident or recover lost earnings or lost wages related to a crash. Negligence may include driving while tired even if fatigue was caused by a prescription medication. A driver may also be negligent if he or she was impaired by alcohol, distracted or operating a vehicle that had not been properly maintained.
