Truck drivers in California and throughout the country may experience fatigue for a number of different reasons. In some cases, it is because they have been behind the wheel for too many hours. In others, it is because they didn’t get enough sleep or were feeling stressed because of events that took place at home. If a driver is fatigued, it could put that person at risk of poor performance or a citation.
Drivers can prevent fatigue by making sure that they get plenty of rest. They should also refrain from driving overnight or between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. as this is when the body is naturally tired. Those who think that they will fall asleep while driving should pullover and take a quick nap. While changing radio stations or drinking coffee may provide quick bursts of energy, they aren’t substitutes for sleep when it comes to avoiding fatigue.
Furthermore, having too much caffeine can lead to headaches and an inability to sleep at night. Drivers should be aware that being awake for 18 consecutive hours is similar to having a blood alcohol content of .08 percent. At this level, a driver would be considered legally intoxicated. Individuals who take medication should make sure that it won’t make them drowsy or otherwise interfere with their ability to drive a truck safely.
Working with a Costa Mesa truck accident injury compensation law firm may help those who were hurt in a big rig accident. It may be possible to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings. An attorney may show that a driver was negligent in causing a crash to occur. This may be done by using a driver’s log book to show that he or she had been exceeding hours limits when the crash occurred.