Many Washington drivers are unaware that they can be charged for sleep impaired dangerous driving. Driving after 18 hours without sleep mimics a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration. Driving after 21 hours without sleep mimics driving over the 0.08% legal limit for alcohol (Source: 2016 Governors Highway Safety Association). So legally driving with too little sleep is equivocal to driving with too much alcohol.

If you fall asleep at the wheel and kill or seriously injure someone, you could be charged with the felony crimes of Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault. If you cause minor injury or serious property damage, you could be charged with the gross misdemeanor offense of Reckless Driving. If you cause a fender bender or no accident, then you could be charged with the traffic infraction of Negligent Driving 2^nd degree.

For more information, please call Lynnwood DUI / traffic ticket lawyer Paul Hanson. Call 425-778-7339 for a free first consultation.