Is It Illegal to Drive While Tired in New Jersey?

There are many laws on the books when it comes to driving, and there’s a good chance you don’t know all of them. That’s why so many motorists are often curious if certain things are illegal while driving. One of those common questions is: Is it illegal to drive while tired in New Jersey?

Well, it just might be. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures website, New Jersey does have a law regarding driving drowsy, which apparently outlines that a driver who goes without sleep for 24 hours could be considered to be driving recklessly. Therefore, if you get in a fatal accident while driving drowsy, you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.

Is It Really Dangerous to Drive While Tired?

Despite all the warnings, some drivers still wonder if it is truly that dangerous to drive while tired. The answer is a definite “yes.” If you’re drowsy, you should refrain from driving.

If you don’t fully understand the dangers, here are a few eye-opening stats and facts from the CDC’s website:

According to the NHTSA, it’s estimated that 72,000 car crashes in 2013 were the responsibility of drowsy driving, including 800 deaths. It’s also believed these numbers are underestimated, and drowsy driving could be at the root of as many as 6,000 fatal crashes each year.
Being tired or drowsy can slow the reaction time you need to perform sudden vehicle maneuvers.
Good decision making can be affected when drowsy.
Getting enough sleep before driving is important. Adults will generally need at least 7 hours. Teenagers require at least 8 hours.

Whether it is illegal to drive while tired in New Jersey or not, or whether or not you live in New Jersey, you’re still putting your life and the lives of others at risk when doing so. Like we said, you should never drive while tired, and if necessary, find a place to sleep before continuing on with your trip. We wish you safe travels and urge you to always put safety above everything else while driving.