People sometimes act as if fatigued driving or drowsy driving are not all that important. They may just roll down the window to help keep themselves awake. They may buy a cup of coffee.
They know that they’re tired, but they’re not going to pull over and stop driving. This mindset can be dangerous. The truth is that fatigued driving can be very similar to impaired driving or drunk driving.
It’s also similar to distracted driving, because your reaction times get worse than they would be otherwise. Fatigued driving causes a lot of car accidents that lead to severe injuries. It is not the minor issue that some people make it out to be.
Here’s what you should know:
The problem with commercial driving
One potential problem that exists within this space is that commercial drivers often do not feel that they have the ability to get proper rest. If a truck driver is feeling fatigued on the road, he or she may personally know that it would be a good idea to pull over and stop.
But that driver is likely being paid by the mile or by the job. If they pull over and stop, they are actively losing money and they may miss the deadline. This pressure from their employment pushes them to continue driving when it is not necessarily safe for them to do so.
That’s not to say it’s just a problem with commercial drivers. Plenty of students drive to school in the morning while still feeling exhausted, and numerous workers drive home after a long, late night at the office.
Have you been injured?
If a fatigued driver causes a car accident that leaves you or a loved one with serious injuries, you may need to know how to seek financial compensation.
