Fatigued Driving Linked to Fatalities

Posted by & filed under drunk driving injury, The Travis Law Firm Blog.

The Dangers of Fatigued Driving

We all know what it feels like to be behind the wheel and suddenly start to yawn repeatedly. In today’s world, enough restful sleep is at odds with our overbooked schedules, whether it is a newborn baby, a late shift or partying with friends. The effects of fatigued driving are similar to driving while inebriated, and many truck and car accidents happen because of it.

Why Is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?

One of the many dangers associated with driving while fatigued is that sooner or later the motor vehicle operator closes their eyes or nods off for a brief period. Even if you close your eyes for a period of only five seconds, at highway speeds, your vehicle has traveled a distance equal to two football fields. This prevents the driver from reacting to changing conditions on the road. 

How Common Is Fatigued Driving?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 617 people died due to a fatigued driver in 2019. However, police around the country say that many driving while fatigued accidents go unreported. Using statistics from around the world, the following characteristics of fatigued driving accidents are available:

  • The driver is male.
  • Most drowsy driving accidents occur between 12 a.m. and dawn.
  • Rush hour is another time when driving while fatigued crashes escalate.
  • The driver’s experience level is low.
  • The accidents happen more frequently on the weekends.
  • Drivers who work long hours are more often involved in a fatigued driving accident.
  • The driver is traveling a long distance on the highway.
  • Some drivers have medical conditions that cause them to fall asleep.
  • The driver uses sleep-inducing medications, and the effects have not worn off.

The Effects of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving causes the following:

  • Drivers make poor decisions.
  • Fatigued motor vehicle operators drift into an adjacent lane more often.
  • Slow reaction time is common with drivers who are too fatigued to drive.
  • The fatigued driver can develop tunnel vision.

Making Sure You Rest to Avoid Fatigued Driving

People who are susceptible to driving while fatigued need to take the following precautions:

  • Try to get a minimum of seven and a half hours of sleep on a regular basis.
  • Turn off electronics at bedtime, and keep the room cool and dark.
  • When you feel yourself nodding off, pull to the side of the road and drink a caffeinated beverage. 
  • Lock your doors and take a 15-minute nap.
  • Don’t stay out too late on a work night.

How to Prevent Fatigued Driving  at Work

Employers can make a difference by reducing fatigue related to employee work schedules by:

  • Let employees take rest breaks if they work long shifts or overtime.
  • Offer classes on fatigue in the workplace and how to correct it.
  • Hire additional workers if needed.
  • Make sure managers are trained in symptoms of excessive fatigue in the workplace.
  • Use lane detection systems in company vehicles.
  • Have investigators that look for signs of fatigue in incidents with company vehicles.

Travis Law Firm

If you are injured by a fatigued driver, call the Travis Law Firm to schedule a free case review at (814)-277-2222. You can also reach out to us online. We will investigate the accident and give you your options moving forward.