Dangers of Falling Asleep While Driving
Nobody wants to fall asleep while behind the wheel. Such a situation can have catastrophic or deadly outcomes.
Sadly, this was recently the case in Texas. On June 28, a family from Fort Worth was traveling back from East Texas when a semi-truck hit two 18-wheelers and three passenger vehicles. The truck driver told police that he was asleep at the wheel at the time of the crash. The crash killed five people, including four members of the same family.
The truck driver was charged with five counts of manslaughter. He is currently in custody at the Kaufman County Jail.
This story illustrates the dangers of falling asleep while behind the wheel. Fatigue is very dangerous when a person is driving. It can pose dangers to not only yourself but others on the roadway. Fatigued drivers often experience microsleeps, which are brief episodes of sleep that last only a few seconds. If you are traveling at 60 miles per hour, a five-second microsleep means your car can travel the length of a football field without any control.
When you’re sleep-deprived, your ability to concentrate, make quick decisions, and react to hazards drops significantly. Drowsy driving impairs judgment and coordination much like alcohol does. In fact, studies have shown that being awake for 18 hours or more can impair your driving as much as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%, which is the legal limit in most states.
This means that driving drowsy is much like driving drunk. But unlike drunk drivers who may show erratic driving behavior, drowsy drivers often drift slowly into other lanes or off the road without warning. These crashes tend to be especially severe because sleepy drivers don’t brake or swerve before impact.
It’s important to realize that fatigued driving does not always happen at night. In the situation above, the accident happened in the afternoon, at 2:40 p.m.
Truck drivers and fatigued driving represent a serious safety concern due to the long hours, tight deadlines, and high-pressure conditions many drivers face. Commercial truckers often operate massive, heavy vehicles for extended periods — sometimes 11 hours a day or more — making the consequences of fatigue far more dangerous than for average drivers.
There are Hours of Service regulations in place for truck drivers. Despite these regulations, drowsy driving continues to be a major cause of trucking accidents due to pressure to meet deadlines. Both companies and drivers must prioritize adequate rest, realistic scheduling, and compliance with safety rules to prevent fatigue-related tragedies.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Drivers need to be awake and alert while behind the wheel. Falling asleep can lead to a dangerous or deadly situation, especially if semi trucks are involved.
A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can help you get the compensation you need after a drowsy driving crash. We know each personal injury case is different. Because of this, we give each individual the attention they deserve in a unique and customized manner. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (281) 347-3247.
Source:
people.com/4-members-victims-crash-texas-highway-11765126