Drivers must ensure they’re well-rested before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Failing to do so can lead to the driver being unable to safely operate the vehicle. Lack of sleep is one of the more common reasons for fatigue, but some people don’t realize just how dangerous it is to drive when they haven’t had enough sleep.
Once a person has been awake for 20 hours, they experience effects on their driving abilities the same as someone who’s legally intoxicated with a .08% blood alcohol concentration. This includes delayed reaction times and reduced cognitive abilities. The effects continue to worsen if the person doesn’t get sleep.
Risk of microsleeps is also possible
Another risk of driving while fatigued is microsleeps. A microsleep is a spell in which the driver dozes off for at least a few seconds. While these issues may not last long, they can be catastrophic. Even if the microsleep only lasts five seconds, it’s enough time for the vehicle to go the full length of a football field if the person was going 55 miles per hour when they dozed.
Temporary fixes don’t work
Some individuals may think that temporary measures, such as drinking coffee or opening the windows, are effective ways to stay awake. Those may provide a few minutes of alertness, but they aren’t a long-term fix.
When a fatigued driving crash occurs, the victims can suffer catastrophic injuries that require medical care. This can be costly, so they may opt to pursue a compensation claim. This must be done within a short time, so working with an individual familiar with these matters may be beneficial for these victims.