Staying busy and doing as much as possible are often hallmarks that people enjoy bragging about, but there is a time when these can become deadly. All humans require sleep on a regular basis. The actual amount people need varies considerably. It’s crucial that anyone who’s going to drive ensures they get enough sleep before they get behind the wheel.
A driver who has gone too long without sleep will start to experience effects that mimic drunk driving. At 18 hours without sleep, the effects are similar to a person with a blood alcohol concentration of .05%. By 20 hours, that increases to .08%, which is the level that’s considered legally intoxicated.
Fatigue can have other causes
While lack of sleep is the primary cause of fatigue, it’s not the only factor that can cause a driver to become drowsy. People who work swing or overnight shifts likely to suffer from fatigue while they drive. Everyone has a Circadian rhythm that naturally dictates when their body needs sleep. If a person drives during the time when their body needs sleep, they may be overly drowsy.
There’s no easy or quick way to address fatigued driving. Things like drinking caffeine or rolling the windows down may provide temporary relief, but drivers shouldn’t try to push the limits of this.
Fatigued driving crashes can lead to significant injuries, some of which may be deadly. Victims of those wrecks may opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help offset the financial damages they’re dealing with. Having someone on their side as they go through this process may be beneficial for them.
