How to Prevent Truck Accidents? Prevent Drowsy Driving

TYLER and LONGVIEW, Texas. According to the National Sleep Foundation, as many as 60% of Americans may have driven while tired or sleepy and another 37% admit to falling asleep while driving. While all drivers are at risk of driving while drowsy, truck drivers are particularly risky drowsy drivers because of the long distances they drive, the odd hours they sometimes keep, and the demands placed upon them by shippers or truck companies. One of the problems with drowsy driving is that like drunk driving, not all tired drivers are aware of how tired they are. Drivers may be driving half-asleep behind the wheel, unaware.

So, how can truck drivers (and all drivers, for that matter) tell when it’s time to pull over and rest? According to the National Sleep Foundation, it might be time to pull over if you find yourself having trouble focusing or if you feel tired. If you have trouble remembering the last few miles you drove or if you miss key turn offs or signs, you may need to pull over and rest. Frequent yawning, eye rubbing, or having trouble keeping your head raised can also be a sign that it’s time to pull over.

How can you tell if another driver might be tired behind the wheel? Drivers who are drifting in their lane or hitting the rumble strips on the side of the road may be tired. Give them plenty of space and avoid passing trucks behaving in this manner, especially on their blind spot.

Getting good sleep doesn’t just lead to safer driving, it leads to better quality of life. According to the New York Times, getting regular good sleep can improve your memory, improve your thinking, improve your mood, improve your ability to face challenges and difficulties, and decrease the chances that you’ll get sick or get heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control notes that sleep deprivation is a public health crisis, with as many as 80% of Americans not getting the amount of sleep they need each night. The Times reports that sleep-deprived individuals have reduced visual attention (which is absolutely needed to drive safely). Another risk factor is worsened reaction time when encountering obstacles.

What’s the best way to get enough sleep, and what is an ideal amount of sleep for safest driving? Every person’s needs will differ based on their age and health. Ideally, you should be getting enough sleep so you feel refreshed when you wake in the morning. The best way to promote good sleep is to keep a regular sleep schedule—even on weekends.

However, truck drivers may have irregular schedules, meaning that they might have more difficulty getting the amount of sleep they need. This can lead to serious or deadly accidents. It can be difficult in the aftermath of a crash to determine whether sleep deprivation may have been a factor. Fortunately, truck drivers are required to keep sleep logs and shipping schedules which can help a personal injury lawyer when investigating a case. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in Tyler or Longview, Texas, reach out to the truck accident lawyers at the  Cooper Law Firm today. Our attorneys can review your claim and may be able to help you seek a recovery under the law. Visit us at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/tyler-texas-truck-accident-lawyer/ to learn more.

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