Driving and Texting

    ORLANDO, FL, April 10, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The trucking industry is a vital part of American life. Truckers take goods of all types over 222 billion miles across the country each year. Logging all these miles are industrious and hard working drivers, many of whom are pushed by unrealistic deadlines past human endurance, resulting in driver fatigue. Tired drivers, regardless of their level of experience, put other innocent drivers at risk of injury and death as they hurtle their huge vehicles at highway speed. Driver fatigue is a leading cause of trucking accidents in the U.S.

Causes of Fatigue

Long journeys with monotonous landscapes can induce fatigue by creating a hypnotic effect on the driver. More than most drivers, big-rig drivers are especially susceptible because of the extreme distances they travel every day. Fatigue may be self-induced by young inexperienced drivers trying to prove themselves, or may be caused by pressure from the trucking company to meet an unrealistic deadline. Other contributing factors of fatigue may include:

- Narcolepsy
- Anemia
- Caffeine overload
- Sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Reaction to prescription medications

Symptoms of Fatigue

There are many signs and symptoms of fatigue that a driver should be aware of to ensure their safety. Some of the symptoms of fatigue include:

- Excessive yawning
- Weakness
- Wandering thoughts
- Veering over the median or shoulder lines

People suffering from these symptoms should pull over and rest or switch driving responsibilities with another person.

Fatigue-Related Truck Accidents

In a recent study, the National Transportation Safety Board found that a full 52% of single vehicle accidents involving heavy trucks were related to driver fatigue. The National Transportation Safety Administration found that there are approximately 56,000 sleep related accidents each year in the United States, resulting in more than 40,000 injuries and 1,500 fatalities, many of those related to truck accidents.

Fighting Fatigue

Many truck drivers try to fight fatigue with a variety of natural or man-made stimulants, especially caffeinated beverages. Unfortunately, many drivers also try to stay awake using illegal substances like methamphetamines or cocaine. Although these chemicals may provide a temporary boost to a driver, but could cause additional problems that compound the effects of fatigue.

In order to minimize driver fatigue, the Federal government regulates the number of hours commercial truckers can be on the road without a substantial rest. These rules include:

- 11-hour driving limit allows drivers to drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive off-duty hours.
- 14-hour limit may not driver beyond 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty.
- 60/70 hour on-duty limit, driver may not drive after 60 of 70 hours on duty in 7 of 8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
- Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two.

Drivers must faithfully log the hours they drive and their off hours to ensure they are following the regulations, or they risk their license being suspended or revoked.

To find out more about trucking accidents related to driver fatigue, please visit Florida truck accident attorneys Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter today.

Website: http://www.thefloridafirm.com

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