Danger on the Road: Trucker Fatigue & Stimulant Use

Danger on the Road: Trucker Fatigue & Stimulant UseThe truck accident attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman protect the rights of people who have suffered injuries in truck accidents. Our team has extensive experience helping victims recover compensation for their injuries and losses. Schedule a consultation today in our Wilmington, Newark or Seaford office.

According to statistics, about one in every 10 highway deaths occurs in an accident involving a large truck. In 2017, the most recent data available, more than 4,000 people were killed in tractor-trailer accidents. Seventeen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 14 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.

One common cause of commercial truck accidents is driver fatigue. Although there are federal rules in place to prevent trucking companies from forcing their drivers to work too many consecutive hours, drivers may still feel pressured to meet schedules. Drivers work long hours with little rest in between shifts, and the problems are worse on long-haul trips.

Statistics show that 65 percent of all truck crashes happen on trips longer than 51 miles. And, in a related survey, one out of four truckers admitted to dozing off behind the wheel in the past month. Truck driver fatigue causes many tragic accidents here in Delaware and across the United States. Many truckers are turning to drugs and stimulants to stay awake – an extremely dangerous solution that could lead to even more truck accidents.

Many truck drivers use stimulants to keep alert and awake behind the wheel. The majority use legal and relatively harmless substances like coffee or other substances with caffeine. However, random drug sampling shows that about 0.6 percent use stronger means – like cocaine, amphetamines, or methamphetamines to stay awake.

Not only are these illegal narcotics, but they also can have a disastrous effect on the nervous system. These sorts of drugs can have a negative impact on a truck driver’s performance, just like driving while intoxicated. Stimulants can cause side effects like aggression, paranoia, delusion, and – ironically – extreme sleepiness when coming down from the drug. Any of these effects can easily cause a driver to lose control of a rig and cause a catastrophic crash.

FMCSA regulations require mandatory drug and alcohol testing for individuals who hold a commercial driver’s license. But with about two percent of truckers failing that test each year, drugged truck drivers remain a hazard.

If you were injured in a truck accident, the injury attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman protect your rights to compensation. We will work to hold the responsible parties accountable for your losses. Our lawyers serve clients in the Wilmington, Seaford, and Newark areas. Call 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form today.