Adults lead busy lives, but that doesn’t mean they don’t’ need adequate rest. This is especially true for people who are driving because operating a vehicle while fatigued is a serious safety issue.
Fatigued driving is an issue because it has the same effects as alcohol on driving abilities. Once a driver has been awake for 18 hours, the results are the same as having a blood alcohol concentration of .05%. By 20 hours without sleep, the effects are the same as being legally drunk.
What contributes to fatigued driving?
While sleep is a primary cause of fatigue, it’s not the only cause. Drivers can suffer from fatigue because of medical conditions. Illegal drugs as well as over-the-counter and prescription drugs can also contribute to fatigue.
Another factor that may lead to fatigue is not following a normal sleep schedule. The body’s circadian rhythm dictates the natural sleep cycle, but that cycle isn’t conducive to every schedule. Because of this, people who work third shift for swing shift are more likely to be fatigued when they drive.
Fatigued drivers may suffer from microsleeps, which are brief periods of dozing off that last a few seconds. Unfortunately, those brief sleeps can have catastrophic results. In only five seconds, a vehicle traveling at 55 miles per hour will go the length of a football field.
Victims of these crashes may suffer serious injuries that require urgent medical care, which can be expensive. Seeking compensation is possible, but they should do this quickly, since time is limited by New Jersey law. Having legal guidance can help you protect your right to fair compensation.
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