Drowsy Driving: How It Increases Baltimore Truck Accident Risks

Tanker trucks, semi trucks, and other commercial vehicles travel through Baltimore on I-95, I-83, and the Beltway. Truck drivers put in long hours on the road and often have to push through exhaustion to meet tight schedules. Unfortunately, that puts other motorists around them at risk and increases the odds of Baltimore truck accidents.

Our Maryland truck accident lawyers see firsthand the devastating consequences of drowsy-driving truck crashes. Find out why driving while fatigued is so common in the trucking industry and how it impacts a trucker’s abilities on the road.

Drowsy Driving: A Common Cause of Baltimore Truck Accidents

Operating a tanker truck, tractor-trailer, or other big rig is physically and mentally draining. The longer a driver is on the road, the more likely they are to make mistakes or errors in judgment, increasing the risks of Baltimore truck accidents.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies fatigue as one of the top preventable causes of commercial vehicle crashes and has strict federal limits when it comes to driving hours. However, drowsy driving remains a common problem throughout the trucking industry due to the following reasons:

• Company pressure or pay-per-mile structures reward longer hours.
• Unrealistic delivery schedules force drivers to skip rest breaks.
• Monotonous highway conditions lead to burnout and “highway hypnosis.”
• Sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep disorders are common among long-haul drivers.

Federal rules limit most commercial drivers to 11 hours behind the wheel per day while requiring mandatory days off and break periods. When trucking companies ignore these rules and push for faster deliveries or fail to monitor compliance, it increases the risk of drowsy driving and makes truck accidents in Baltimore more likely to happen.

How Drowsy Driving Impacts a Trucker’s Driving Abilities

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) warns that drowsy driving is a common problem on roads throughout the state and is especially dangerous when it involves truckers.

Unfortunately, being excessively fatigued mimics the same types of impairments as driving drunk. Common impacts include:

• Blurred or double vision;
• Inability to concentrate;
• Increased risk of distraction;
• Poor depth perception;
• Delayed reflexes;
• Increased likelihood of falling asleep for seconds at a time, known as “microsleeps.”

These types of impairments put other motorists at risk and can lead to life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, unlike driving under the influence, there’s no test for drowsy driving, making it harder to hold those at fault accountable.

Suspect Drowsy Driving Played a Role in a Crash? Contact Our Experienced Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers

Drowsy driving truck accidents in Baltimore can cause devastating injuries to other motorists. At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we gather driver logs, company schedules, and other evidence to prove that fatigue was to blame for a crash and hold truckers and the companies they work for accountable.

To get the compensation you are entitled to in a Baltimore injury claim, call or contact our experienced Maryland truck accident lawyers online. Schedule a consultation to discuss your case and how we can help today.

Sources:

fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service

zerodeathsmd.gov/road-safety/drowsy-driving/