Driving requires the ability to pay close attention to operating the vehicle safely. Many factors can have a negative impact on their ability to do this, one of which is fatigue. What some individuals don’t realize is that there are many causes of fatigued driving.
One of the most common causes of driver fatigue is lack of sleep. This occurs when the driver doesn’t have adequate sleep before they drive. It can be intensified if there’s a sleep debt that accumulates over time because of a chronic lack of good sleep.
Fatigue can stem from more than a lack of sleep
Another factor that can lead to fatigue is driving when the body would normally be asleep. The sleep-wake is known as the Circadian rhythm. For most people fatigue sets in at night and mid-afternoon.
Certain medical conditions and medications can also lead to fatigue. Sleep apnea and diabetes are two medical conditions that can be contributing factors. Over-the-counter medications, prescription medicines and illegal drugs are other possible causes.
Microsleeps can occur due to fatigue
A driver who’s fatigued may doze off behind the wheel. This is known as a microsleep, which means the vehicle isn’t being controlled until the driver wakes up. Even if the driver doesn’t fall asleep, they may be unable to react to things that happen while they’re driving. These situations can lead to devastating crashes.
Victims of fatigued driving may have catastrophic injuries that require ongoing medical care, which can be costly. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help cover those costs, but this is a time-sensitive matter that must be handled swiftly.
