Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Bad Faith Insurance, Car Accidents, T-Bone Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Dangerous Drugs
Each year, the first week of November is recognized as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a time to raise awareness about one of the most overlooked dangers on the road: driving while fatigued. While many drivers take steps to avoid texting or drinking and driving, far fewer think about the risks of getting behind the wheel when they’re too tired to stay alert.
Understanding the warning signs and impact of drowsy driving could help prevent serious crashes for drivers in Tulsa and across Oklahoma. This article explains why this week matters, what causes drowsy driving, and how to stay safe on the road.
Drowsy driving isn’t just a matter of feeling sleepy. When your body is running low on rest, your ability to think clearly, react quickly, and make safe choices drops sharply. Sleepiness slows your brain in the same way alcohol does. That’s why experts often compare driving while tired to driving under the influence.
A key danger is microsleep, short, involuntary episodes where the brain briefly shuts down. You might not even notice it happening, but at 60 mph, closing your eyes for just a few seconds is enough to cross lanes or miss a stop sign.
Driving after being awake for 18 hours impairs your driving as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.05%.
It’s easy to underestimate how common or serious drowsy driving can be. But the numbers tell a different story.
Drowsy driving crashes cause an estimated 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries each year in the U.S.
Data Point | National (U.S.) | Oklahoma (If Available) |
| Annual crashes caused by drowsy drivers | 100,000+ | Not separately tracked |
| Estimated injuries from fatigue-related crashes | 71,000 | — |
| Estimated deaths per year | 1,550 | — |
| Total economic cost | $12.5 billion | — |
| Drivers who admitted to falling asleep at the wheel | 40% | — |
Drowsy driving can affect anyone, but it’s more likely when drivers:
Young adults, commercial drivers, and new parents are especially vulnerable.
Microsleep—brief episodes of sleep lasting a few seconds—can occur without the driver even realizing it.
Most people don’t realize they’re too tired until it’s too late. Pay attention to these common warning signs:
If you notice any of these while driving, it’s time to stop and rest.
The good news is that drowsy driving is preventable. Here are a few simple but effective ways to reduce your risk:
Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Don’t assume caffeine or cold air will make up for real rest.
Driving between midnight and 6 a.m. or during mid-afternoon (when your body naturally feels sleepy) increases your risk.
Pull over every two hours or 100 miles to rest. A 15-—to 20-minute nap can make a big difference.
Traveling with someone allows you to switch roles if one of you feels too tired to continue.
Check the labels on over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Many list drowsiness as a side effect.
Don’t rely on caffeine alone. It can help in the short term, but it’s not a substitute for sleep.
Drowsy driving isn’t listed as a separate traffic violation in Oklahoma. However, it may still lead to civil liability in a crash. If a fatigued driver causes an accident, they can be held responsible, just like someone who was speeding or distracted.
Under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence rule, if you’re hurt in a crash and the other driver was tired, you may be entitled to compensation. Your recovery could be reduced if you were also partially at fault, but you can still bring a claim as long as your share of fault is under 51%.
Oklahoma follows a comparative negligence rule. If you are partially at fault, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. – Oklahoma Statutes Title 23 §13
Although it’s not a distinct traffic infraction, a driver may nevertheless be held accountable in a personal injury case if their weariness causes a collision.
After calling 911 and seeking medical help, gather as much evidence as possible. An attorney can help investigate whether drowsiness contributed to the crash.
Yes. Under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law, you may still qualify for damages—your recovery may just be reduced based on your share of fault.
Most occur late at night or in the early morning hours, particularly between midnight and 6 a.m.
People who work night shifts, drive for long hours, have sleep disorders, or are under 25 are more likely to experience fatigue behind the wheel.
Evidence like time-of-day records, surveillance video, work schedules, or witness reports can help show fatigue played a role. An attorney may also consult experts or obtain medical records if relevant.
Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is a powerful reminder of the dangers of fatigue behind the wheel. Falling asleep while driving—or even nodding off for a few seconds—can change lives forever. The risks are real, but they are also avoidable.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a tired or inattentive driver, you may have the right to seek compensation. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has experience handling complex car accident cases throughout Tulsa and understands how fatigue-related negligence can affect a claim.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
