Sharing the road with semi-trucks can be an intimidating event. After all, if a truck accident were to happen, it is likely that the motorist the truck struck could suffer serious injuries or even die. We rely on truckers in the Mooresville area to drive safely, but many do not, especially if they are fatigued. There are a variety of causes of truck driver fatigue that could lead to a drowsy driving accident.
Truckers need a good night’s sleep
Just like all drivers, it is important that truckers get a good night’s sleep before driving. Drowsy driving slows a trucker’s response time to potential road hazards, which could lead to a motor vehicle accident. Drowsiness is especially common between midnight to 6:00 a.m. as well as 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., as these are times when our bodies experience natural lulls.
Drowsiness is a side effect of many medications used by truckers
If a trucker has allergies or a cold, they may take an antihistamine or cold medicine. However, drowsiness is a side effect of these medicines, as well as many prescription drugs truckers may take. According to one study, 17% of truckers studied had an over-the-counter drug in their system at the time of an accident. Simply put, it is better to suffer the cold than drive while on medication that makes you drowsy.
Do not let alertness tricks fool you
Truckers often spend long hours on the road, stretching from morning to well into the night. In order to stay awake, they may drink a cup of coffee, listen to loud music, roll the window down for fresh air or smoke a cigarette. However, these alertness tricks are ineffective and could lead truckers into a false sense of security, which could lead to a drowsy driving accident.
Learn more about truck accidents
A fully loaded semi-truck has physics on its side in the event of a crash, leading the crash victims to suffer catastrophic injuries or even death. When this happens, truck accident victims may want to learn more about their rights and options. Our firm’s website may be of interest to those who want further information on truck accidents in the Mooresville area.
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