How Can You Tell If Someone Is Sleepy at the Wheel?

TEXAS. For long-haul truck drivers, sleep and fatigue can be a real issue. Even drivers who follow hours of service laws might still be putting in long hours behind the wheel. If they don’t get a good night’s sleep, they could wake up tired. Fatigued driving has been linked to truck accidents and car accidents. Some research indicates that fatigued driving may even be as dangerous as drunk driving. According to Aetna, three in 10 drivers admitted to driving when they were so exhausted, they were having trouble keeping their eyes open.

There are many factors that can contribute to fatigued driving. For example, people who don’t take rest breaks, drive late into the night, or those taking certain kinds of medications could be at risk of fatigued driving. People taking new medications or a new prescription may be particularly at risk because they may not know how the drug might affect them ahead of time.

So, how can you tell if you are falling asleep behind the wheel? If you find yourself having difficulty staying focused on the road, or if you find that your eyelids feel “heavy,” it might be time to pull over. If you find yourself making small mistakes like missing turns or exits, you may be too tired. Small mistakes can turn into bigger errors if you are not careful. If you find yourself drifting in your lane or hitting the rumble strip on the shoulder, this might also be a sign it is time to pull over.

The New York Times reports that drowsy driving resulted in 824 deaths in 2015. In order to combat drowsy driving, some car manufacturers have detection systems in the car that can warn drivers when they are tired. A coffee cup icon will turn on, on the driver’s dashboard, letting them know it is time to rest. This is great news for drivers, but how can you tell if another driver, say, a truck driver, might be fatigued on the road?

First, if it is night time, you’ll need to assume that drivers might be tired. Take extra precautions, like giving other vehicles more space. Stay out of truck blind spots as much as possible. Secondly, if you notice the truck drifting within its lane, or out of its lane, this is a big red flag that the driver might be fatigued. Use extreme caution when or if you choose to pass this truck driver because he or she may not be as readily attentive to his or her blind spot.

Sleepy driving kills and injures people every year. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident due to a driver you believe may have been fatigued, reach out to the Cooper Law Firm, Texas truck accident lawyers today. Our firm may be able to check driver logs, review shipping schedules, and determine whether a truck driver might have been on medication that could have resulted in fatigued driving. Protect your rights after a truck crash. Speak to the Cooper Law Firm today.

Cooper Law Firm
501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037