{"id":6275,"date":"2020-07-15T14:41:03","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T14:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennedyattorney.com\/?page_id=6275"},"modified":"2020-07-15T14:41:03","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T14:41:03","slug":"drowsy-driving","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kennedyattorney.com\/houston-truck-accident-lawyer\/drowsy-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Drowsy Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"
Drowsy driving has been a hot topic in the trucking industry for several years, especially following the highly-publicized truck wreck involving comedian Tracy Morgan, in which investigators found the truck driver\u2019s fatigue as the most likely cause for the crash. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC), drowsy driving can cause drivers to be less alert to hazards on the road, and also delays reaction time and inhibits a driver\u2019s decision-making abilities while behind the wheel.<\/p>\n Despite the dangers, however, truck drivers often experience pressure by their employers to conduct deliveries in a time-efficient manner. Due to this, as well as the nuisances of daytime driving, drivers tend to prefer driving at night, when highway traffic is low. With this irregular lifestyle, it can be difficult for them to average eight hours of actual sleep per 24-hour period while on the road.<\/p>\n Crashes involving commercial trucks and small passenger vehicles can range from rear-end accidents, in which a truck fails to slow down in time to avoid hitting the car in front of it, to rollover accidents which are often caused by swerving (which can be common when a driver is fatigued) or underestimating speed or dangerous road conditions. Deaths and injuries that result from these accidents are almost always seen with passengers of the smaller vehicle.<\/p>\n Because accidents involving commercial trucks can be so devastating, many states have implemented legal consequences for instances of fatigue-related crashes. The federal government also enforces Hours of Service Rules that regulate truck drivers\u2019 sleep.<\/p>\nHours of Service Regulations<\/h2>\n