The Effects of Driver Fatigue

Driving while exhausted can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated or distracted driving. In fact, some studies have shown that driving without proper sleep can lead to lower driver performance than being legally drunk. While none of these activities are recommended, more drivers are likely to get behind the wheel while exhausted. No one gets eight hours of sleep every night of their life, but it is important that drivers do their best to ensure they are well rested before operating a motor vehicle.

Today, our driver fatigue accident attorneys will discuss drowsy driving statistics, how driver fatigue affects driver performance, and how to avoid potentially dangerous situations on the road.

Passaic County, NJ Drowsy Driving Attorneys Identify National Statistics

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation, here are some statistics regarding drowsy driving since 2011.

• Between 2011 and 2015, an estimated 396,000 motor vehicle accidents involved some form of driver fatigue
• In that same time period, approximately 160,000 motor vehicle accidents involving driver fatigue led to an injury
• Nearly 1,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents are caused by drowsy driving each year
• Amongst motor vehicle crashes which ended in injury, approximately two (2) percent involved driver fatigue

As there is no formal test for driving while exhausted, these results are considered to be grossly underreported. It is therefore safe to assume that the actual numbers of motor vehicle collisions involving driver fatigue are actually much higher in the U.S. As we will examine in the following section, it is not hard to understand why.,

Bloomfield Driving While Exhausted Lawyers Identify Impact of Drowsiness on Driving Performance

It is easy to forget that operating a motor vehicle requires physical ability, mental alertness, and our full attention. Millions of Americans drive every day, and those of us who do can tend to see it as just another daily activity. Similarly, most individuals would not think twice before getting behind the wheel even if they are drowsy or even exhausted. Our Bloomfield driver fatigue accident attorneys would recommend exercising caution, as driver fatigue can lead to all of the following:

• Departing from your lane, drifting, and the inability to keep your vehicle between the lines
• Inability to focus for extended periods of time
• Missing turns, getting lost, or being unaware of one’s surroundings
• Impaired reaction time
• Nodding off while driving, whether or not that entails actually falling asleep
• Daydreaming
• Difficulty with vision, blurry eyes
• Impaired physical coordination

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, that might be because many of them are similar to what drivers experience under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances. While it may be unreasonable to expect drivers to always be bright eyed and bushy tailed, understanding how drowsiness effects driver performance can allow drivers to self-monitor, and take necessary precautions when they are not physically or mentally able to safely operate a motor vehicle. By avoiding driver fatigue, you can protect yourself and your family from potential car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more.

Contact our Clifton Driver Fatigue Personal Injury Attorneys Today

The driver fatigue personal injury attorneys of Fredson & Statmore have extensive experience serving clients injured in motor vehicle accidents across Passaic County communities including Clifton office, Bloomfield, Wayne, Little Falls, West Milford, and all of Northern New Jersey. We believe in keeping our personal injury clients both informed and involved throughout the legal process with the goal of providing services which address your unique needs and concerns. Our firm practices exclusively personal injury law, allowing our attorneys to focus on the legal matters which matter most to you and your family.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, please contact us online today for a free and confidential consultation.