Driving a vehicle is a responsibility that must be taken seriously. Drivers must ensure they’re in the proper mental and physical shape before they get behind the wheel. Distractions must be kept to a minimum so they can pay attention to the road, and they have to be able to focus on driving.
Drivers who are fatigued can’t operate a vehicle safely because they likely don’t have the ability to focus. There are many factors that can contribute to fatigue, so it’s best for all drivers to realize what that encompasses.
Many factors of fatigued driving
Lack of proper sleep is one of the primary causes of fatigued driving. A driver who’s been awake for 18 hours faces driving effects similar to that of a person who has a blood alcohol concentration of .05%. At 20 hours without sleep, the effects are the same as a person who’s legally intoxicated.
Another factor that can lead to fatigued driving is working swing shifts or third shifts. Changes in sleeping schedules can lead to a driver being too fatigued to drive safely. Yet, they will probably still drive anyway as they need to get home.
Certain medications and medical conditions can also lead to drowsiness. Medications that may cause this are typically labeled with a warning.
Victims of fatigued driving crashes may need medical care to address their injuries. They may opt to pursue compensation to help them get the medical care costs covered. A claim might also provide them with compensation for lost wages. They should work with someone who’s familiar with these cases.