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Is fatigued truck driving dangerous?

On Behalf of | Sep 1, 2021 | Truck Accidents

Truck drivers may spend many hours on the road, and the duration might contribute to fatigue. State and federal laws require truck drivers to take mandatory breaks to curb potential drowsy driver accidents. Other factors might contribute to fatigue, and a tired truck driver may remain on Georgia roads. Batting through drowsiness to reach a destination may lead to fatal consequences.

Drowsing driving and truck collision dangers

Truck accidents could happen for many reasons, but the public might only focus on a few causes. Worries about drunk driving led to many laws being passed about operating a truck under the influence. Regulating a tired driver may prove challenging despite the dangers present. The Department of Transportation noted that its “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” revealed that 13% of commercial motor vehicle drivers were tired when the collision occurred.

Even when a truck driver follows mandatory break rules, the driver could feel fatigued. Poor sleep patterns might cause someone to become too tired to drive, and something as simple as adjusting a sleep schedule could have positive results.

Addressing causes of fatigue

A truck driver could consider other ways to feel less tired on the road. The overconsumption of caffeine may seem like a short-term solution to fatigue, but taking too much of the stimulant could lead to the reverse effect: “crashing” and feeling tired.

Illnesses and injuries may add to fatigue, so dealing with such problems might become a priority. Anything that hampers a truck driver’s ability to remain alert presents a possible accident risk.

Feeling tired behind the wheel does more than making a job feel like a “drag.” A tired driver may suffer from diminished reactions and perceptions, increasing the chances of a collision. Drivers who deliberately take to the road when tired might place others at risk and open themselves up for liability.

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