Drivers who try to operate a vehicle while they’re fatigued may not think this is a big deal, but it can be a major cause of serious crashes. When a driver is too tired to stay focused, their reaction time can slow, their judgment can worsen and they may doze off behind the wheel.
Fatigued driving can affect anyone, including parents, students and professionals. This is especially true when long hours, stress or lack of quality sleep start to add up.
What causes fatigued driving?
Fatigued driving is preventable, but drivers often don’t take the necessary steps to avoid it. One of the most important ways to prevent fatigued driving is to get enough sleep. If a person goes 20 hours without sleep, they experience the same effects as someone with a blood alcohol concentration of .08%, which is legally impaired.
Some people think that lack of sleep is the only cause of fatigued driving, but that’s not the case. Shift work or long hours often have schedules that go against the body’s natural sleep cycles. These individuals are at an increased risk of fatigue.
Long, quiet stretches of road can lull even the most experienced driver into zoning out or getting drowsy. This is more common during early morning or late-night hours when the driver would normally be asleep.
Conditions like sleep apnea or insomnia can make it difficult to get quality rest. Even people who think they’ve had enough sleep might not be truly rested. The medications to treat some conditions may also induce fatigue.
Victims of fatigued driving crashes can suffer significant injuries, which can lead to costly care. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim, which must be done within a limited time. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial since they can become complex.