There’s often a focus on trying to get as much done as you can each day. People sometimes think that they have to skimp on sleep so they can be as productive as possible. They may not realize that this could also mean that they’re putting themselves and others at risk because of that lack of sleep.
Some individuals don’t know that extreme fatigue produces similar impacts to being drunk. Being awake for 18 hours can have the same effect as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05%. If that time without sleep hits 24 hours, the driver is dealing with the same effects as a person who has a BAC of .10%, which is legally drunk.
There are many reasons that a person might be fatigued when they drive. The most obvious of these is lack of sleep. Other causes include:
- Driving when you’d normally be asleep
- Driving for long periods of time
- Driving if you have an untreated sleep disorder
- Driving after taking medications that cause drowsiness
Drivers who are fatigued need to get off the road so they don’t cause a wreck. They’re likely going to start dozing off and may swerve between lanes. They may even hit the rumble strips on the side of the road. If you notice a driver doing this, it’s a good idea to try to stay away from them.
Victims who are struck by a fatigued driver may need medical care to address their injuries. They may also opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help cover the financial damages associated with the crash.
