Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of highway accidents in the United States. While driving tired affects passenger motorists, the risks are magnified when the tired driver is operating an 80,000-pound commercial semi-truck.
For victims of commercial crashes, proving that a trucker was drowsy can lead to a highly successful personal injury claim. This guide defines what is driver fatigue, looks at its causes in the trucking industry, and explains how it affects legal liability.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), up to 13% of all commercial motor vehicle crashes involve a tired truck driver.
What is Driver Fatigue?
Driver fatigue refers to physical or mental exhaustion that impairs a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Fatigue affects driver performance by causing:
- Slower Reaction Times: Delayed braking and steering maneuvers when hazards appear.
- Impaired Judgement: Riskier driving behaviors, such as tailgating or lane drift.
- Microsleeps: Uncontrolled, brief episodes of sleep lasting from 1 to 15 seconds. At highway speeds, a truck can travel the length of a football field during a single microsleep.
Why is Driver Fatigue Common in Trucking?
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of fatigued truck drivers on US roads:
- Long Work Shifts: Under federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, drivers are permitted to work up to 14 hours and drive up to 11 hours per day.
- Irregular Sleep Schedules: Constantly changing from day shifts to night shifts disrupts the driver’s natural circadian rhythm.
- Sleep Apnea and Health Issues: Drowsiness is exacerbated by underlying sleep disorders, which are common among long-haul drivers.
- Corporate Pressure: Trucking companies sometimes offer financial incentives or threaten job loss to force drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Proving Driver Fatigue in a Lawsuit
Because fatigue does not leave physical evidence at the scene like skid marks, proving it requires deep investigation. A truck accident lawyer will secure:
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: Digital records that show exactly when the driver was on duty, driving, or resting.
- Driver-Facing Camera Footage: Visual proof of yawning, eye closure, or nod-offs before impact.
- Black Box Telematics: EDR data showing a complete lack of steering correction or braking right before the crash, indicating the driver was asleep.