A driver who is fatigued must get off the road as soon as they can because they are a danger to everyone on the road with them. Some people don’t realize that they’re fatigued until they get behind the wheel. For example, a person who’s been at work for a full shift might have felt like they were fine when they left but start to get blurry-eyed as they drive.
The issue with fatigue is that it can reduce the ability of the driver to respond to hazards as they’re driving. They might doze off, which introduces the possibility of them getting into a wreck while they’re nodding off. These episodes are known as microsleeps, which last up to 30 seconds at a time.
Third shift workers are likely to suffer from fatigue more than other shifts. This is because the body’s natural inclination is to sleep during the overnight hours. They also might not get enough sleep. Around 37% of working adults report that they get fewer than seven hours of sleep per night.
Some people try to rely on things like coffee, playing music or opening the vehicle’s windows to stay awake. While these can provide temporary relief from fatigue, measures like these should only be used as a way to get to a place where the driver can get some sleep.
People who are struck by a fatigued driver should ensure they get the medical care they need. This can be costly, but seeking compensation might help to defray the financial impact the victim has to deal with because of the wreck.