If you tend to drive while drowsy, you might want to reassess your priorities a bit. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving while impaired. You might think there is nothing for you to worry about when you start to feel sleepy while driving. But there are many things that could happen if your vehicle collides into another. One of them involves criminal charges.

The one thought that rarely crosses one’s mind when they get into the driver’s seat is they will end up in jail. They most certainly do not anticipate falling asleep. However, when you do not get enough of hours of sleep, your driving performance suffers. Your level of alertness goes down, you are not able to respond as fast as you should, which increases the chance of a fatal collision.

Fatigued Motorists Are Everywhere

Many people drive while they are drowsy. It is so common that it might seem normal. Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous. When sleep-deprived motorists get on the roads, casualties are likely to occur. Even if a collision does not result in death, there are civil and other criminal charges that might apply. For example, you fall asleep at the wheel and crash into someone’s home. There is also the possibility of you crashing into another vehicle. Depending on the circumstances involved, you could end up with several charges, including reckless driving, unintentional vehicular manslaughter and a DUI.  There are many factors that cause motorists to become fatigued. Common reasons include being overworked, working the graveyard shift, medication side effects and being drunk. In the event of an accident, law enforcement will use evidence and witness statements to determine who is at fault and if criminal charges are necessary.

Drowsy Driving Does Attract Law Enforcement Attention

If you are pulled over during a traffic stop because you are driving like you are intoxicated, you could find yourself having to perform field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. If there is further suspicion of impairment, you will be taken to the station to provide a blood and urine sample for drug analysis.  Your BAC might not be over the limit for intoxication. But if your driving actions compromise the safety of everyone else on the roads, you could end up behind bars and a reckless driving citation. You could also end up with more severe criminal charges and heavier penalties if your actions involve other crimes.

Regardless of how much you believe in your driving abilities, you should never risk your freedom. Do not drive while drowsy. It is easier, cheaper and more convenient for you to make time in your schedule to get the extra sleep you need. That way you do not have to lose additional sleep worrying over criminal charges and consequences that you could have avoided.