Truck drivers are often fatigued because their job requires long hours behind the wheel. While they may be required to drive long distances, truck drivers have an obligation to focus on driving safely. Since many truck drivers are paid by the number of miles they drive or by the weight of the load they carry, drivers may be inclined (or be pressured by their employer) to exceed the number of hours of continuous driving allowed by law, to create fraudulent log books, or to carry a heavier than legal load. A fatigued or overloaded driver often responds slowly or incorrectly to situations that may present on the highway. This negligence can lead to wrecks resulting in serious or fatal injuries.
Truck Wrecks Caused by Fatigue
Truck drivers are often fatigued because their job requires long hours behind the wheel. While they may be required to drive long distances, it is their sole job to concentrate on driving. Drivers can easily get fatigued if they do not stop and take breaks to rest, or drive longer hours than required in order to log more miles. When a driver is fatigued or falls asleep at the wheel, they are unable to process reactions as quickly as an alert driver.
