Truck Driver Fatigue Causes Accidents

Ricky Bagolie

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Nearly 375 people were killed and 7,500 others were injured each year between the years 1997 and 2000 as a result of tired truck drivers report the Federal Motor Safety Administration. Greed is often the motavation as the longer truckers can drive the greater the potential revenue and profit for trucking companies.

Driver fatigue and drowsiness can result in reckless behavior such as failure to stay in the proper lane and running off the road. Since 1939, Federal law has placed restrictions on the "hours of service" that a trucker may operate his truck. Recent changes have been made to these rules for the first time in over 60 years. These rules are designed to promote safety by helping to ensure that truck drivers are getting the needed rest to operate their trucks safely.

New Jersey has criminalized drowsy driving and in some states criminal investigations of egregious cases of trucking company officials have been prosecuted for systematically forcing their drivers to drive well in excess of the legal limits.

As there is more and more tractor trailers on our roads, driver fatigue is a threat to the safety of all divers.

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