Trucking driving as a profession can be a very tiring one. Long hours on the road, small rest stops, and countless hours of hypnotically watching asphalt and signs fly by can cause a lot of drowsiness for drivers. There are also a lot of common sleeping disorders that many Americans face that are a contributing factor to drowsy driving. As a common cause of semi-truck accidents, sleep deprivation is something drivers should be aware of and educate themselves on to protect themselves on the road.
Drowsy Driving Statistics
Statistics show that drowsy driving is a big cause of many types of automobile accidents on American roads, and this is especially true of semi-trucks where drivers work very long hours driving staying in a sitting position. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted studies and found that there are easily 100,000 accidents annually involving drowsy driving. Among this number, 1,500 deaths and 40,000 serious injuries were recorded.
A separate study was also conducted to ask people if they drive while tired or worse. Harvard School of Medicine found that over 25% of anonymous participants in one of their surveys were willing to admit that they had momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel. Specifically, in regards to semi-truck drivers, over 50% admitted to falling asleep at the wheel during a long drive. These statistics are terrifying and alarming and show how serious drowsy driving is in America.
Understanding Common Sleep Disorders
Because of the alarming statistics found about roadways and sleep deprivation, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies invested money into studies and education involving sleep disorders and healthy sleeping habits. They also required new regulations that limited driving times, created legally required breaks, and regulated overall workloads.
Common Sleeping Disorders to be Aware of Include:
- Insomnia – The most common sleep disorder of them all is characterized by difficulty or inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. It results in feeling not refreshed and being sleep deprived.
- Sleep Apnea – Involves obstructed breathing passageways that result in severe snoring and ceased breathing. This can shock people awake or simply cause non restful sleep due to breathing troubles and stress on the body.
- Narcolepsy – This is a permanent disorder that results in severe sleepiness and causes people to fall asleep suddenly in the middle of the day or at times that you shouldn’t be able to. They are also known as sleep attacks.
Being aware of the symptoms of these sleep disorders can help semi-truck drivers be aware of their overall health and sleep levels. It can also help prevent future accidents.
Contact a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Semi-Truck Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a semi-truck accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright represent clients injured because of semi-truck accidents in Sunrise, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Florida. Call 561-898-0497 or email us to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.