Most truck drivers spend many consecutive hours on the road, which often means they don’t get as much rest as they should. Even though truckers are used to this, drowsy driving is a dangerous behavior that greatly increases the risk of an accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowsy driving was responsible for more than 40,000 injuries and 72,000 accidents in 2013 alone.
What types of people drive drowsy?
The main thing to remember is that anyone can become drowsy while driving. However, some people are more likely to fall into this trap than others:
- Anyone who doesn’t get enough sleep before driving
- Commercial truckers who spend many hours on the road
- Shift workers, specifically those who work during the night
- Drivers who take medication that can cause sleepiness
- Anyone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
What are the warning signs?
There are many warning signs of driver fatigue, including:
- Frequent blinking and yawning
- Drifting in and out of a lane of travel
- Hitting an object on the side of the road
- Missing an exit
If you find yourself doing one or more of these things, it’s best to pull over and get some rest.
Even if you’re alert, you should watch for drowsy drivers, especially truckers. For example, if you see a trucker drifting out of their lane, they may be fatigued.
If you’re injured in a car-truck accident, call 911 to request an ambulance and police presence.
Once you receive treatment, it’s your right to learn more about the accident with the hope of holding the negligent driver responsible.
