What Is Driver Fatigue?
Driver fatigue is the state of being too physically or mentally exhausted to drive safely. A fatigued driver has slower reaction times, impaired judgment, reduced attention, and difficulty processing what’s happening on the road.
Fatigue impairs driving ability in ways comparable to alcohol intoxication. Staying awake for 18 hours produces impairment similar to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%, and 24 hours awake is comparable to 0.10%.
Driver fatigue causes car crashes in Marietta in two ways.
The first is falling asleep at the wheel, even for a few seconds. A driver traveling 70 mph who dozes off for four seconds covers more than 400 feet with no one in control of the vehicle.
The second is degraded performance while still awake, like drifting between lanes, missing a stopped vehicle ahead, failing to react to a light change, or misjudging speed and distance.
Common Causes of Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a serious danger on the road. Both physical and mental exhaustion can leave drivers unable to react or make good decisions. Here are some of the most common causes of driver fatigue:
- Lack of sleep: Not getting enough rest before driving greatly increases the risk of fatigue.
- Long hours behind the wheel: Extended periods of driving without enough breaks wears down a driver’s focus and alertness.
- Driving overnight or on irregular schedules: Driving during natural sleep times disrupts your body’s rhythm and makes fatigue more likely, especially for truckers and shift workers.
- Certain medications: Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs cause drowsiness or slow reaction times.
- Untreated sleep disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea make it harder to stay rested, particularly for commercial drivers.
- Monotonous driving: Long, boring routes, such as flat highways, can cause the mind to wander and promote drowsiness, even in drivers who aren’t sleep-deprived.
Ignoring fatigue-related risks endangers not just the tired driver, but everyone sharing the road.
Why Driver Fatigue Matters in a Georgia Injury Claim
Fatigued driving is usually negligence. A driver who chooses to get behind the wheel while too tired to drive safely has breached their duty to operate a vehicle with reasonable care. When that choice causes a crash, the fatigued driver can be held liable for the injuries that result.
Investigating Fatigue-Related Accidents
Proving fatigue takes investigation, because there’s no roadside test for it the way there is for alcohol. However, careful investigation can uncover evidence to help you prove your case.
- Reviewing work and sleep schedules: Checking if the driver was on duty or awake for long periods before the crash.
- Examining logbooks and electronic driving records: Commercial drivers are required to keep driving logs that may show missed breaks or unsafe hours.
- Gathering witness statements: Passengers or other drivers might have noticed yawning or that the driver was drifting between lanes before the crash.
- Reviewing post-crash behavior: A driver who doesn’t remember the crash or shows confusion or slowed reactions right after may have been fatigued.
- Checking black box/event data: Vehicle data recorders can reveal sudden speed drops, lack of braking, or unsteady steering right before impact.
Gathering these facts can help explain what happened and what the cause may have been. If you’ve been involved in an accident and believe someone else’s fatigue was the cause, let us help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
