Houston Commercial Trucker Driver Fatigue

Fatigue refers to lack of sleep, extreme tiredness, or exhaustion. Fatigue does not necessarily refer to just one thing, but can be a combination of all of the above. Not getting the required amount of sleep, loading and unloading heavy loads, putting in overtime at work, etc., can all lead to truck driver fatigue. Driver fatigue can also impair individuals’ ability to gauge their own level of fatigue.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, the most significant cause for truck accidents is truck driver fatigue, which accounts for as much as 35-40% of all truck accidents.

Driving for 12-14 hours at a stretch, and clocking in more than 16-18 hours at work, is common for truck drivers. This leaves them incredibly tired, due to which there physical as well as mental capacity is reduced. This fatigue can cause truck accidents.

There are rules and regulations that have been set for the trucking industry, which have been established to reduce truck driver fatigue and consequently reduce the number of truck accidents, not all truck drivers and trucking companies actually follow these rules. Although truck drivers are required to maintain a log book of their driving hours, such log books can easily be falsified, and are thus not necessarily an accurate indicator of the number of hours a truck driver spends on the job.

When a truck driver is fatigued, it is very easy for them to nod off or fall asleep at the wheel of their truck. Trucks are large heavy machines, and when they are going 70 miles an hour without the control of a driver, serious injuries or death can occur.

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If you or a family member was involved in an accident involving a commercial motor carrier and suspect that it was caused by driver fatigue please call us today to discuss your rights. Contact us today via email, or by phone at 713.654.9991 day or night.