Fatigued Driving is a Common Safety Issue in Texas

 Posted on January 08, 2026 in Car Accidents

Every driver knows the feeling of fighting to keep their eyes open behind the wheel. Maybe you stayed up too late, worked a long shift, or started your road trip too early in the morning. Whatever the reason, driving while tired is very common, and far more dangerous than many people realize.

Fatigued driving causes thousands of crashes every year in Texas and across the United States. In 2026, drowsy driving remains a serious safety problem that affects everyone on the road. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash caused by a tired driver, our New Braunfels car wreck lawyers can help you understand your legal options.

How Common Is Drowsy Driving in Texas?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for an estimated 91,000 police-reported crashes in the U.S. a few years ago. These crashes led to approximately 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths. Other experts believe the numbers are much higher. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that drowsy driving may actually cause up to 328,000 crashes each year, including 109,000 that result in injuries and 6,400 that are fatal.

Unfortunately, Texas ranks very high in the U.S. for fatal crashes from drowsy driving because of its high number of commercial truck drivers. Other groups are also at higher risk for wrecks. Shift workers with irregular schedules, people with untreated sleep disorders, and drivers under 26 cause fatigued driving crashes more often than other people.  

What Happens to Your Body When You Drive Tired?

Fatigue affects your body and brain like drinking. When you are overtired, you experience symptoms that put everyone at risk, much like drunk driving.

Some of the harmful effects of drowsy driving include:

• Slower reaction times that make it harder to respond to sudden hazards.

• Reduced attention span and difficulty focusing on the road.

• Impaired judgment that leads to poor decisions behind the wheel.

• Difficulty maintaining a steady speed or staying in your lane.

• "Microsleeps" where you actually fall asleep for a few seconds without realizing it.

• Decreased coordination and motor skills.

• Blurred or double vision.

• Memory problems that make it hard to remember the last few miles you drove.

Studies show that staying awake for 18 hours straight makes you drive like someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 percent. If you have been awake for 24 hours, your driving ability is like someone with a BAC of 0.10 percent, which is above the legal limit of 0.08 percent in Texas.

What Does Texas Law Say About Drowsy Driving?

If you are a commercial truck driver, there are rules about when you can and cannot be on the road. Federal regulations limit how many hours truck drivers can work before they take rest breaks. Trucking companies sometimes push their drivers to do longer hours than they are supposed to, but this is illegal, and companies can be held liable if a fatigued trucker gets in a wreck.

Texas does not have a specific law that makes it illegal for regular people to drive while tired. However, fatigued drivers can still be held responsible for crashes they cause under Texas negligence laws. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.401, drivers must operate their vehicles in a careful and prudent manner. This means you have to make sure you are alert and able to drive safely before getting behind the wheel.

Call a New Braunfels Car Wreck Lawyer Today

Texas law states that it is important to make sure that you are driving responsibly, including being rested enough. If you were injured by a drowsy driver, you deserve fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and damage to your vehicle.

The Schertz car wreck lawyers at The Bettersworth Law Firm have 25 years of legal experience handling complex commercial vehicle accidents. We keep our caseload intentionally low so that we can devote our full attention to each client. You will have direct, regular contact with the lawyer handling your case and will never be just a number.

We take an aggressive yet compassionate approach to fighting for injury victims. Our attorneys are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have recovered millions of dollars for clients throughout Texas. Contact us today at 830-606-0404 for a free consultation to discuss your case.