Can a drowsy trucker hurt you?

On Behalf of | Oct 30, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Virginia drivers like you deserve a safe road, free of as many obstacles and dangers as possible. To achieve this, all drivers should abide by the rules of the road and engage in safe driving behaviors.

But drowsy driving is risky driving behavior that many people engage in. In fact, it is particularly prevalent in the trucking industry, which poses a huge risk to average drivers like you.

The impact of drowsy driving

The Sleep Foundation examines statistics related to drowsy driving, especially among professional drivers. In 2009, a poll run by the National Sleep Foundation surveyed drivers. 54 percent of surveyed adults admitted to driving while drowsy at least once within the last year. 28 percent claim to drive this way at least once a month. Meanwhile, 27 percent of drivers struggled to keep their eyes open while driving at least once in the last month.

Sleep deprivation among professional drivers

In a congressionally mandated study of 80 truck drivers, they also experienced a large amount of drowsy driving. These truckers averaged less than 5 hours of sleep a night. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) took this into consideration. They speculate drowsy driving may cause over half of trucking accidents that have trucker fatalities.

Unfortunately, average drivers suffer even more. The NTSB stated that for every one trucker fatality, 3 to 4 other people end up dead. This is due primarily to the size and weight of a truck versus an average passenger vehicle. If you find yourself up against a drowsy trucker, you will likely end up worse for wear and in need of financial compensation.