You know that you face a lot of risks when you drive. You could be struck by a drunk driver who has had a few too many beers and drifts over the centerline. You could be hit by a teenager on their cellphone who never sees your vehicle at all. Accidents happen for numerous reasons, and the vast majority of them are because of some type of human error.
One thing to keep in mind is the risk posed by fatigued drivers. It’s likely that this happens more often than you realize, as most people consider it to be a minor problem when it may actually be a significant contributor to accidents in the United States.
What reports tell us
Reports about fatigued driving have raised these concerns. In one, the claim was made that about 50% of people in the U.S. say that they will drive even when they’re tired. Half of the drivers around you on the road could potentially be fatigued and on the verge of causing an accident. After all, fatigue impacts people in much the same way as alcohol.
Speaking of alcohol, one of the potential issues with drunk drivers is that they can pass out behind the wheel. But this also happens with fatigued drivers. The same report that claims half of the drivers on the road are tired said that roughly one out of five admitted they had fallen asleep behind the wheel. And that had happened only in the last year!
Finally, remember that it’s simply hard to prove someone is fatigued after the fact. It’s much easier to prove something like alcohol intoxication, which can be measured. But fatigued drivers can and do cause serious accidents, and those who are injured need to know exactly what legal steps to take.