Causes of Accidents: Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue is a leading cause of commercial motor vehicle accidents, yet it is not discussed as much as it should be. Truck drivers work during a variety of extreme circumstances, so taking the wheel while feeling a little sleepy might not seem too risky initially. Unfortunately, the statistics surrounding drowsy driving prove that it is incredibly risky and dangerous. Fatigue is as Dangerous as Driving Under the Influence Many people do not realize just how hazardous it is to drive while feeling tired. In fact, drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence. The dangers of truck driver fatigue parallel that of DUI, including: Delayed thought process and reaction time Impaired judgment and vision Shortened attention span Inability to make wise decisions Causes of Driver Fatigue Truckers are among the highest group of individuals at risk for driver fatigue. This is because they no longer have the luxury of taking naps whenever necessary. Instead, they typically drive the maximum amount of time possible mandated by the government, which is 11 hours. The nature of commercial driving is exhausting, and most operators work 60+ hours per week. Even when truckers are not working, it can be very difficult for them to establish a regular sleep pattern. How Often Fatigued Driving Occurs The CDC created a survey to determine how often commercial drivers take the wheel while feeling drowsy. The survey results were quite troubling: 7 percent of drivers admitted to feeling very drowsy almost every day driving. 34 percent of drivers said they have nodded off or fallen asleep while driving. 24 percent of truck drivers had at least one near-miss during a seven-day period. 12 percent of truck drivers had two or more near misses. Tips for Truck Drivers The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that 13 percent of commercial motor vehicle drivers were considered to have been fatigued at the time of their crash. Below are some tips that will help you stay well-rested for all of your trips and not become part of this startling statistic: Get enough sleep – If possible, do not while your body is naturally drowsy (between the hours of midnight and 6 A.M.). Maintain a healthy diet – Try not to skip meals, eat at irregular times, sleep immediately after a big meal, or go to bed on an empty stomach. Take a nap when feeling less alert – Ideally, a nap should last up to 45 minutes. Allow at least 15 minutes after waking up to fully recover before hitting the road again. Avoid medication that induces drowsiness – If you need a certain medication, talk to your doctor to find a solution that won’t tire you out. Recognize the signals of drowsy driving – Indicators of sleepiness include frequent yawning, heavy eyes, and blurred vision. Do not rely on alertness tricks to stay awake – Tricks such as smoking, playing loud music, opening the window, or chewing gum are not real cures for drowsiness and provide a false sense of security. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Can Help You Receive the Compensation You Deserve If you have sustained car accident injuries due to truck driver fatigue, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help. With over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury cases, you can rest assured that you are in good hands with our team. We have offices in Orem, Provo, Saratoga Springs, and West Jordan, Utah. Contact us today.
Hazards Overlooked In Federal Bus Safety Audits
Commercial vehicles such as buses and large trucks are regulated by the federal government to ensure the safety of those who travel in them and those who share the road with them. However, a new report revealed that the federal agency charged with the task of inspecting commercial carriers is not meeting its duties. On November 7, 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board announced the results of its investigation into the effectiveness of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s oversight of motor carrier operations in the U.S. and called for improvements. Missed Warning Signs The NTSB launched its investigation after four commercial vehicle accidents, which killed 25 people and injured 83 more, occurred within a six-month span in 2012-13. The NTSB found that the FMCSA had awareness of safety issues with each commercial carrier company prior to the auto accidents, but failed to put the carriers out of commission until the safety violations were remedied as they should have done. In some cases, the FMCSA had failed to notice some safety hazards in its inspections of commercial carriers. In one of the accidents that the NTSB investigated, the FMCSA had conducted a compliance review of a bus company one month prior to the bus accident and had rated the company “satisfactory” — the highest safety rating possible. However, the FMCSA never examined any of the company’s busses during the review and failed to inspect many of the company’s records because they were not onsite. Lax Oversight NTSB officials said that their investigation into the FMCSA reinforced the common perception that the FMCSA is too slack in enforcing safety standards prior to accidents occurring, and that the agency only reacts after major accidents happen. Many in the commercial carrier industry view FMCSA safety citations and temporary orders to ground vehicles as merely the cost of doing business, cheaper than actually maintaining vehicles to meet safety standards consistently. The NTSB report of its investigation results recommended a complete audit of the FMCSA’s oversight process in order to discover why inspectors are not catching all safety violations. Additionally, the NTSB recommended that the FMSCA stop using “focused compliance reviews” so often, where only a portion of a commercial carrier’s business is reviewed. Speak with an Attorney Commercial carriers have a duty to keep their fleets in good working order, but some choose to place profits over safety and skimp on maintenance of their vehicles. When a commercial carrier’s negligence causes an accident, the carrier needs to be held accountable. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, talk to a seasoned motor vehicle accident attorney with a history of recovering compensation for those injured by commercial vehicles.