Dangers of fatigued trucking

Many Americans have very busy lives, but that doesn’t mean that they never need to rest. Going without sleep for prolonged periods can be hazardous, particularly for those who are driving.

Fatigued driving is a serious issue in this country because it can lead to catastrophic or fatal crashes. To put things in perspective, consider this: A driver who has been without sleep for 20 hours will experience the same effects on driving as someone who has a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, which is legally drunk.

Lack of sleep isn’t always the cause

While lack of sleep is a primary cause of driver fatigue, it’s not the only cause. Some medical conditions and medications can cause drivers to become drowsy. Two common medications that may do this are antihistamines or narcotic pain relievers. Drivers who take these or any other medications should ensure they don’t drive until they know how those medications will impact them.

Microsleeps are major hazards

One issue that comes with fatigued driving is the risk of microsleeps. These are periods when the driver dozes off for a few seconds or longer. During that time, there’s nobody controlling the vehicle, which leaves ample opportunity for crashes.

Victims of drowsy driving crashes may need considerable medical care, depending on what injuries they suffer. This can be costly and the person may have to miss work. They can opt to pursue compensation to help with those expenses. This is a civil lawsuit filed against the fatigued driver, but it must be filed within a certain time after the crash.