Millions of drivers are enjoying the highways and byways this summer, and drivers of cars are not alone on the road. While you and your family are packing up the car for a fun-filled summer road trip, be aware that not everyone on the road is driving at their best. One person is injured or killed in a trucking accident every 16 minutes and Texas has the second highest number of truck accidents in the United States.
Sleep deprivation can significantly interfere with driving since it reduces a driver’s ability to focus and react, according to the National Institutes of Health. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it is important to keep your family’s safety in mind while traveling.
Long-haul truckers have been targeted as one of the most at-risk populations on the road for sleep deprivation. Truck drivers are typically independent contractors and have become less regulated to boost profits in the past years. Semi engines are designed to run nonstop and to only be turned off for maintenance. This means that the trucking industry has lobbied hard to ensure their trucks are running and profiting, but this does not mean that they have considered the sleep habits and health of the drivers.
Truckers without enough sleep could experience the following symptoms:
- Slower reactions
- A cloudy mind
- Bad mood
- Weakening of body reactions
Since there is no strict enforcement to ensure what few rules exist are followed, many drivers travel long distances over the course of many days without getting the proper rest and recovery needed to operate a ninety-ton truck.
These trucks are traveling right along with you and your family on the road every day. A long-haul truck takes 40% longer to stop while breaking than a passenger car. Which is why it is so important for all drivers to be alert on the road. Unfortunately, lack of sleep for truck drivers combined with large dimensions and heavy weight of the truck can lead to potentially harmful or fatal car accidents for anyone on the road. If you are involved in an accident with a long-haul truck, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Call a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Today!
Summer is one of the busiest travel times during the year. Be cautious on the roads and stay alert, because other drivers may be exhausted and distracted. But if you do have an unfortunate encounter with a long-haul truck, do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with a Texas personal injury attorney. Call the law office of Stewart J. Guss at 800-898-4877 or visit our website to request a consultation online. CLICK HERE to see Stewart interviewed as an authority on trucking accident cases by Mike Papantonio on his national news program, “America’s Lawyer.”
