Choices made by individual motorists can affect the safety of countless others. Those who text while driving or get behind the wheel after drinking can behave in unpredictable manners and may cause preventable collisions. Lawmakers constantly adjust traffic laws to account for common causes of crashes. Distracted and drunk driving can both lead to citations or fault for a motor vehicle collision.
Another common choice that people make that has a direct impact on their safety is to drive while feeling drowsy or fatigued. Exhausted drivers are a constant safety concern on the roads. Many people don’t give themselves enough time for rest, and their exhaustion can have safety implications for others.
Fatigued or drowsy drivers could potentially fall asleep at the wheel with disastrous results. However, even if they stay awake, they can still potentially cause major collisions because of their exhaustion. What makes fatigue so dangerous for those operating motor vehicles?
Fatigue noticeably impairs driving ability
Researchers actually compare the effects of exhausted driving with the experience of drunk driving. The longer a motorist has gone without sleep, the greater the chances that their fatigue is likely to affect their capabilities.
Fatigue makes it difficult for drivers to remain focused. They may not notice changes in traffic conditions as quickly as is necessary for optimal safety. Fatigue also influences the ability to make the right decision in a dangerous scenario. Exhausted people struggle with decision-making. They may have longer reaction times, which can increase the likelihood of them causing preventable crashes.
Their exhaustion may also affect their ability to make the best decision possible given the circumstances. People may swerve instead of applying the brakes when a dog runs into the road, for example. While there are rules in place intended to prevent fatigued driving in the commercial sector, there are no rules that prevent people in their own vehicles from driving when they are incredibly tired.
When fatigued drivers cause motor vehicle collisions, those affected by those wrecks may need help holding them accountable. Seeking insurance compensation or filing a lawsuit can both be appropriate reactions when fatigued drivers cause crashes due to their impaired abilities.