Motorists in Gulfport will likely share the road with semi-trucks at times. Most of the time semi-truck drivers operate their vehicles safely. Unfortunately, there will always be truckers who make risky decisions while behind the wheel and will drive when drowsy. Drowsy driving can easily lead to a semi-truck accident in which the motorist will usually come off worse for wear compared to the trucker. It is important for motorists and truckers to understand why drowsy driving is so dangerous.
Overnight driving disrupts our circadian rhythm
Did you know that there are periods of time in which our bodies are naturally drowsy? Known as the circadian rhythm, we are naturally drowsy from midnight to 6:00 a.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We should avoid driving during these times, but some truckers choose to drive overnight when traffic is lighter. This disrupts their circadian rhythm and can lead to drowsy driving.
Check the labels on your medications
When we have a cold, allergies or a chronic medical condition we often reach for an over-the-counter medication or prescription medication to alleviate our symptoms. It is important that truckers check the labels on any medications they take, as some medications list drowsiness as a side effect. If drowsiness is a side effect of a medication, the trucker should avoid using it when behind the wheel.
Alertness tricks rarely work
Many of us think we have the secret to staying awake during long drives. We may drink a cup of coffee or energy drink, play loud music, smoke a cigarette or roll down the window for fresh air. However, these alertness tricks rarely work and could even give a trucker a false sense of security. Truckers should make sure if they find themselves getting drowsy while driving that they pull over somewhere safe where they can rest, rather than continuing to drive.
Learn more about truck accidents
Truck accidents can be devastating for motorists. After all, semi-trucks have the laws of physics on their side due to their sheer size and weight. Motorists injured in a semi-truck crash will want to know what their rights and options are for compensation. Our firm’s webpage on truck accidents may be a useful resource for those who want further information on this topic.
