What is Sleep Inertia and Why It Might Increase Truck Accident Risks

TYLER and LONGVIEW, Texas. We’ve all experienced it. Our alarm rings on Monday morning and even though we’ve slept all day on Sunday, we still find ourselves groggy. Why do we feel tired when we first wake up? It’s called “sleep inertia” and scientists are studying the effects it can have on our functioning in the morning. According to QZ, “sleep inertia” can last as long as two hours after you wake. This can be a big problem for truck drivers who often sleep in the cabins of their trucks and often hit the road shortly after they wake up. If they are suffering from “sleep inertia,” they may not be as alert during the early hours they are driving, putting them more at risk of dangerous accidents.

Why does sleep inertia happen? Scientists believe that it has to do with low blood flow to the brain right after we wake up. When we let ourselves wake up naturally, we slowly move from deep sleep, to light sleep, and eventually consciousness. But, when we are woken up by an alarm clock, we can jump from deep sleep to wakefulness. According to the New Yorker, the more suddenly you are forced awake, the worse your sleep inertia can be. The New Yorker reports that learning, memory, and reaction time all suffer during the sleep inertia period; alertness is also affected. All of these symptoms are needed to be an effective driver.

Like being drunk and not knowing you are drunk, individuals who feel awake might still be suffering from sleep inertia. So, truck drivers can’t always be counted on to know when they are truly awake and alert enough to drive. The trucking industry doesn’t seem to be taking measures to address this issue. Most drivers—much less the average person—is aware of sleep inertia.

What can truck drivers, companies, and the average person do to prevent sleep inertia? First of all, individuals should aim to get 8.5 hours of sleep each night. The best way to avoid sleep inertia is to try to avoid waking up when you are in a deep sleep. It can be virtually impossible to time when your deep sleep cycles occur, but one way to reduce the chance that your alarm will go off during a deep sleep cycle is to extend the time you sleep. The body goes into less deep sleep, the longer you are asleep. Finally, don’t hit the snooze button. You’ll just reset your sleep cycle and feel sleepier when you do wake up.

Truck companies should consider the role that good sleep plays in safe driving. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers and companies put their bottom line above safety. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident in Tyler or Longview, Texas, reach out to the truck accident attorneys at the Cooper Law Firm today. The Cooper Law Firm works closely with victims and families to help them get the recovery they may deserve when truck drivers or companies cut corners. Visit us at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/ to learn more.

 

 

Cooper Law Firm

501 N Third St,

Longview, TX 75601

Telephone: (903) 297-0037