North Carolina residents know that trucks are potential hazards on the road. But did you know that trucker fatigue is also an issue? This phenomena has a direct impact on truck drivers. But it should concern everyone. Today we will look at why that is.
For information on trucker fatigue, we look to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They have statistics and other information on fatigue in truck drivers of all sorts. Truck driver fatigue is common across the field. This could be for many reasons. For example, companies encourage bad habits among their work fleet. Management may encourage truckers to drive for hours without taking a break. They do this by paying based on how fast a driver can finish their route.
But why does trucker fatigue impact other drivers? It is because of the size of these vehicles. Driver fatigue is an issue for everyone on the road. As soon as a person risks dozing off, they also risk crashing into anyone else nearby. This is already dangerous no matter how big or small the car is. When a trucker loses control of their vehicle, the consequences are catastrophic. Many car accidents may happen that injure drivers. In some cases, these crashes can and have killed people.
Everyone in the trucking industry must work together to fight trucker fatigue. In the meantime, other drivers can also keep an eye out for warning signs of exhaustion in truckers. If you notice a truck listing to the side or driving at an anomalous speed, give them a wide berth.
