Recently, the driver of an 18-wheeler on I-20 in Texas allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel. This resulted in a crash that took the lives of five people.
While most drowsy driving incidents don’t lead to such mass casualty events, they are all crashes that are easily prevented. For the victims of negligent car and truck drivers, the severity of drowsy driving is undeniable.
A Common and Persistent Problem
Most people acknowledge the dangers of driving drunk. Fewer are willing to face up to the danger involved in driving while fatigued.
People who would never dream of driving drunk will turn up the radio, blast the air conditioner or even pinch themselves to try to stay awake while driving. Drowsy driving remains a problem because so many people don’t take the danger seriously.
Issues Leading to Drowsy Driving
While the causes of drowsy driving may seem obvious, there are several factors that can contribute to the problem, including:
- Sleep deprivation: This is the most basic cause of drowsy driving. The 7-9 hours of sleep per night that most people need can easily be sacrificed to work schedules, insomnia, lifestyle choices and more.
- Medications: There are some medications, including antihistamines and antidepressants, which are known to cause drowsiness. Even a well-rested driver can get drowsy under the influence of these medications.
- Shift work: Working nights or on an irregular schedule can easily lead to drowsy driving. When a work schedule is not conducive to a normal sleep schedule, one of the likely side effects is fatigued driving.
- Alcohol and drugs: Alcohol can cause you to miss out on a good night’s sleep. Similarly, many recreational drugs can result in sleep deprivation, impairing your ability to drive safely while under their influence and after.
The Impact of Drowsiness on Safe Driving
In the most extreme cases, a driver can fall asleep entirely while operating a vehicle. If the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds, the driver and anyone in front of the vehicle are at serious risk of injury or death. But a drowsy driver doesn’t have to fall asleep to endanger others.
Fatigue can work on the body in much the same way alcohol does. Drowsy drivers show the same poor judgment and slow reaction times that drunk drivers do. A tired driver is also less likely to be attentive to the many obstacles we face when driving.
Things like a sea of brake lights (suggesting a crash), road construction or just everyday congestion can escape the notice of a drowsy driver until it’s too late. Safe driving requires an astonishing number of good decisions made quickly. Fatigue makes those decisions much harder and increases the chances that something will be missed.
Call a Skilled Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Today
At The Fell Law Firm, our experienced car accident attorneys know how to help you recover compensation for your injuries. If you suspect that a drowsy driver was to blame for your crash, call us today at 972-450-1418 to schedule a consultation.
