Kansas Trucking Accident Lawyers
Truck Driver Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Among Truck Drivers
Truck driver fatigue is a serious problem for the trucking industry, as well as for all of us who have to drive on the road alongside semi trucks and 18 wheelers. A recent Department of Transportation study found that nearly one third of truck drivers reported falling asleep at least once while driving within the last three months!
If we wish to prevent trucking accidents, it is absolutely imperative that we prevent truck driver fatigue. But in order to do this, federal, state and local transportation authorities must force shipping and trucking companies to enforce their regulations regarding driving hours for truckers. We cannot afford to allow truck drivers to drive 15, 20, or even 25 hours straight without sleeping.
Chronic fatigue is a commonly cited problem among truck drivers, particularly those who do long-haul driving. Excessive driving hours are extremely grueling for over-the-road truckers. Truckers are often required to drive across long stretches of empty, mind-lulling highway before reaching their destination. In addition, many semi cabs are not ergonomically sound. Therefore, truckers are often sitting in quite uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. This causes muscle stress to build up, which adds to their fatigue.
Tired truckers are of such concern that in April of 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) instituted new hours of service regulations to curb truck driver fatigue. The Federal Hours of Service Regulations established by the Department of Transportation give explicit guidelines for the amount of consecutive hours a truck driver can drive without off time. While these laws have helped reduce the number of accidents, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board still cites driver fatigue as a probable factor in 20 to 40 percent of truck crashes. As anyone knows, curtailing the federal hours of service violations directly leads to lives saved - lives like yours and mine.
If you or a family member has suffered a truck accident involving truck driver fatigue, contact the Kansas trucking accident lawyers of Knox, Johnson, Rockwell & Babbit, Chartered immediately to fight for your rights. Get peace of mind with the help you deserve. In the process, help put an end to accidents caused by truckers asleep at the wheel.
Involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler, tractor trailer or other commercial truck? Use the form below to contact the Kansas trucking accident attorneys of Knox, Johnson, Rockwell & Babbit to receive a free case review.
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