Are Tired Truckers Causing Crashes?

The United States economy depends on getting goods from one side of the country to the other. While the rail system is useful, commercial trucking is an essential part of helping businesses move their products.

Driving semis and other large commercial trucks is a demanding job. Often, drivers work long hours with a sleeper cab as their only safe place to rest. Exhaustion can have a significant impact on driver safety.

Here’s what you should know about staying safe when sharing the road with commercial trucks.

Everyone Needs Space

Maintaining a safe distance between you and other drivers is one of the simplest actions you can take to be a safer driver. A safe distance is especially important when you are driving near large commercial vehicles.

Since semis are large, they take a longer time to stop, and it can be challenging for truck drivers to see everything around them, especially when they are moving quickly. Semis have large blind spots around the back and sides of the vehicle. Keep in mind; if you are unable to see the driver of the vehicle, they may not be able to see you.

Symptoms of Tiredness

Unfortunately, long hours on the road leads to tired drivers. Drowsiness can lead to accident-causing problems, such as:

• Delayed reaction times

• Swerving

• Uneven speeds

There are strict guidelines regarding how many consecutive hours a commercial trucker can drive and when they should take breaks. Unfortunately, some drivers press the limits of when they are too exhausted to drive.

When you notice a driver displaying fatigue symptoms, try to give the driver as much space as possible. If there are continued issues, you may need to contact the trucking company or the police to report the driver before there is a crash.