Fatigued drivers in Texas are a danger to themselves and to others on the road. It’s a concern with vehicles of all sizes, including commercial trucks. A commercial truck driver with fatigue can cause catastrophic damage because of the weight and size of these vehicles.
Fatigue behind the wheel
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) says that driving while drowsy is a public health issue. The NSF also estimates that around 100,000 motor vehicle accidents are caused yearly by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel or driving while fatigued.
The problem is worse with truck drivers because driving a commercial truck requires attention to detail and fast reflexes. Fatigue makes it difficult to safely operate a commercial truck, which puts everyone on the road at risk.
Dangers of fatigued driving
A truck driver should remain aware of the road at all times. This means paying attention to road conditions, other drivers on the road, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
For example, a truck driver with fatigue might not notice when a motorcycle enters the lane in front of the truck. As a result, the trucker might rear-end the motorcyclist and cause an accident. A truck driver with fatigue might also exhibit erratic driving, such as running red lights, speeding and continuously switching lanes.
Causing an accident is the main danger of driving a commercial truck while fatigued. This might occur if a trucker goes too long without a break. Or, perhaps the driver is trying to meet a deadline or wants to get home as fast as possible.
In most situations, taking a break is safer when fatigue sets in. Taking a break instead of driving while tired helps keep the roads safe.
