| Related Links: Types of Truck Accidents That Can Cause Serious Injuries Seven Common Truck Driver Errors That Cause Wrecks in Maryland |
Fox 5, WJLA, and TMZ all have been overrun by news of fatigued truck drivers. Ever since the explosion of media coverage over the truck accident that killed James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, and left Tracy Morgan, Jeffrey Millea,, and Ardie Fuqua Jr. critically injured, truck safety has become a hot button issue.
With all the news and concern, is there any way to tell if a truck driver is dangerously tired, before he causes an accident?
Warning Signs of a Drowsy Trucker
The argument over sleep requirements for truckers has been drastically brought to the forefront of highway safety since the Morgan-McNair collision. It has become evident that truckers can, and commonly do, drive on very little sleep. The trucker involved in the highly publicized New Jersey Turnpike accident, claimed he hadn’t slept for 24 hours at the time of the collision.
Recent studies performed by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have related driver fatigue to be just as distracting as drunk driving. When you factor that debilitation and risk into the fact that truck drivers are responsible for 150,000+ pounds of truck and cargo, you have an exceedingly dangerous combination.
Therefore, in order to keep you and your family safe, it is important to know, recognize, and avoid any trucks who exhibit the following behavior, as they may be showing warning signs of fatigue:
- Swerving.
- Slowing down and then speeding up.
- Slow veering or drifting.
- Multiple corrections, overcorrecting, or appearance of lost control.
- Speeding. Trucks will generally have a posted maximum speed limit of 65 mph on the highway and 25 mph on city or rural roads.
Don’t allow trucking rest regulations—or the lack thereof—endanger you and your family. Stay alert for warning signs of possible danger and always give trucks plenty of room to maneuver. If you believe a trucker is too tired to be driving, or exhibits dangerous signs of distress or fatigue, call 911 (Silver Spring non-emergency: 301-565-7740), or send an anonymous report of the incident, and local police should be able to ensure he gets the rest he needs before continuing his journey.
Safety is the most important thing for you and your family, help us spread the word about trucker fatigue and warning signs, by sharing this page on Facebook and Twitter.
Are you a victim of a truck accident where you believe the driver wasn’t fully conscious? Contact our offices today for a free consultation and review of your case. We can help you get the justice and compensation that you and your family deserve.