Throughout West Virginia, many truck drivers are working hard to transport all sorts of items. Unfortunately, not all of these drivers are in any condition to be behind the wheel of a large truck. With that in mind, here are a few factors that contribute to truck driver fatigue.
Side effects from medication
There’s no guarantee that a truck driver won’t get sick while working. If they’re hundreds of miles or more away from home, getting bed rest might not be a possibility. Considering that, a sick truck driver may not have much of a choice but to get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, they might also be using medication that causes drowsiness to feel better. It’s also possible for a truck driver to take medication that causes drowsiness without knowing it.
Drugs and alcohol
Some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents involve drugs and alcohol. For some people, consuming drugs and alcohol can put them into an extremely drowsy state. In addition to making someone drowsy, drugs and alcohol also inhibit a person’s ability to drive normally.
Working long hours
If you know anyone working in the trucking industry, they’ll probably tell you that long hours in this field aren’t uncommon. Some drivers will push themselves to the limit to make a delivery, even if it means driving drowsy. Another time-related source of driver fatigue can occur when a driver is working during shifts they’re not used to.
As you can see, truck driver fatigue is a problem that plagues roads throughout the world. Considering the size and weight of these vehicles, it’s a good idea to always stay a safe distance away from large trucks.
