The Hidden Menace of Tired Driving Crashes
Fatigued Driving Accidents may not necessarily seem very serious compared to driving under the influence, but they are one of the most dangerous and existent causes of accidents on the road today. Fatigue is also capable of compromising the judgment, decreasing reaction time as well as attention similar to the case of alcohol or drugs. Unluckily, most drivers do not take the problem of driving whilst feeling sleepy seriously, which causes thousands of avoidable injuries and deaths annually.
The Knowledge of Fatigue Behind the Wheel.
Fatigue is caused when an individual is subjected to excessive tiredness due to sleep deprivation, working long hours or driving long distances without a rest. In case of fatigue, critical driving skills, like focus, coordination, and decision-making, are impaired. Sleep deprived drivers can have what is termed by experts as microsleeps, brief lapse of consciousness that last a few seconds. In just a few seconds, a car traveling at highway speed can travel a distance equivalent to a football field, having no control whatsoever.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates the number of crashes each year caused by fatigued drivers in thousands, but it is probably even more as fatigue is hard to quantify following an accident. Research indicates that driving after 18 hours straight makes one have the same impaired ability to drive as the concentration of alcohol in their blood stream is 0.05 per cent and after 24 hours it is the same as the concentration is 0.10 per cent, which is way above the limit.
Typical Reasons for Driving while Tired.
Sleep deprivation: Adults should ensure that they get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. The lack of several hours would dramatically decrease the alertness.
Shift Work or Night Driving: Drivers with abnormal hours, i.e. those that work during odd hours and drive at night, are at a bigger risk as the natural body clock tells them to sleep at that time.
Long-Distance driving: The truck operators, delivery workers and people traveling in road trips may be on the road all day without taking enough breaks.
Medications and Health Conditions: There are prescription medications that result in drowsiness and untreated sleep conditions such as sleep apnea can result in drivers being too sleepy without even knowing it.
Fatigued Driving Accidents: The Effect.
The number of injuries and deaths caused by fatigued driving is in the thousands every year. The victims are normally exposed to serious physical injuries, emotional warmth, and economic costs. More than to the individuals, society suffers in terms of higher medical bills and lost productivity as well as property destruction.
In other instances, the driver is not the only party that can be held liable. As an example, the responsibility can be shared by the employers who demand unrealistic schedules or do not pay enough attention to the rest of the commercial drivers.
Final Thoughts
Fatigued driving accidents are completely avoidable and they are responsible in taking away lives every year. Being aware of the risks of driving when exhausted and responsible decisions can save an enormous number of lives. Being a professional or basic commuter, driving on the road is not only about arriving to your destination, but also keeping everyone alive to make sure they get home safe as well.
