Commercial vehicles are driven by people with commercial drivers’ licenses. That means that those individuals have been trained to drive these larger vehicles and have the experience necessary to keep others safe on the roads. It also means that they should be familiar with laws pertaining to safety behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
One major part of commercial vehicle safety is getting enough rest. It’s so important, in fact, that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has dedicated much time, money and effort into making sure that commercial drivers are required to take breaks and get enough sleep.
What leads to driver fatigue?
Driver fatigue is caused by many things such as:
- Extended work hours
- A lack of adequate sleep
- Strenuous work
- Strenuous activities outside work
- A poor diet
How can drivers get the best sleep and avoid drowsiness behind the wheel?
To start with, you should understand your circadian rhythm. This is the wake/sleep cycle your body naturally goes through each day and night. Normally, the body is naturally drowsy between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. It is also naturally tired between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you can, avoid driving during those times. If not, then it is even more important that you are getting enough sleep at night so that the effects of drowsiness during those times are not as pronounced as they otherwise would be.
If you are hit by a commercial vehicle, driver fatigue may have been a cause. It’s important to reach out and make sure you seek a claim for compensation.