If you spend any amount of time on the highways in and around Atlanta, you’re sure to find yourself sharing the road with large commercial trucks.
While the majority of truckers understand the importance of following the rules of the road, there are always some who push the limit and hope for the best.
For example, drowsy driving remains a major problem in the trucking industry. Even with federal regulations that dictate how many consecutive hours a trucker can stay on the road, it can’t completely eliminate the risk of drowsy driving.
Here are some tips for spotting a drowsy trucker:
- They’re not looking at the road: If you spot a trucker whose head is down, there’s a good chance they’re nodding in and out of sleep.
- Drifting: Drowsy drivers have the tendency to drift into and out of their lane of travel. Even if a trucker only does this one time, it’s enough to cause an accident.
- Driving onto the rumble strips: For example, you’re driving behind a commercial truck and notice it veering off the road and onto the rumble strips. The noise is likely to wake up the trucker, but it’s not always enough for them to take notice of their fatigue.
If a drowsy trucker causes an accident, move to the side of the road and call 911. Explain your situation, provide information on your location and administer first aid until paramedics arrive.
Once you’re stable, contact your insurance agent, collect evidence related to the crash and take steps to protect your legal right to receive compensation for your injuries.
