Drivers Are More Tired Than They Realize – or Admit

Driving while tired is a dangerous behavior that can have severe consequences for both the driver and others on our Kansas City, Missouri, roads. Despite its potential risks, many drivers underestimate their level of tiredness or choose to ignore it altogether. Because drivers are often more tired than they realize or admit, acknowledging and addressing pervasive driver fatigue will help all road users make commuting safer for everyone.

What is driver fatigue?

Driver fatigue refers to a state of physical and mental exhaustion that impairs a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. It can be caused by various factors, such as lack of sleep, long hours of driving, sleep disorders, or certain medications. The dangers of driver fatigue are clear. If you doze off behind the wheel and are not fortunate enough to jolt yourself awake, you will almost certainly collide, at full speed, with either another car, a stationary object or person on the side of the road.

Even if the driver does not doze off, remaining conscious, fatigue can significantly affect their reaction time, decision-making abilities and overall alertness. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) driving while tired is equally dangerous as driving with a 0.08 blood alcohol concentration. Clearly driver fatigue is a serious issue for Kansas City drivers to consider before they decide to push through drowsiness on the road.

Just how drowsy ARE drivers?

According to AAA, most likely, yes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a study that concluded that driving while fatigued is a more common behavior than expected. Though often underestimated by drivers, drowsiness significantly contributes to traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. That is not a surprising conclusion, though.

The AAA Foundation conducted this research to determine if drowsy drivers could recognize their own level of drowsiness and when they reached dangerous levels. To simulate real driving conditions and induce fatigue, participants in the study were assigned a 150-mile driving task using an advanced driving simulator equipped with eye-detection cameras. Despite the opportunity to take breaks at rest stops every 20 minutes, half of the participants chose not to stop at all during their drive. Surprisingly, even among those who acknowledged their drowsiness, 75 percent continued driving without taking a break.

While nearly all participants were aware of their drowsiness, when given the opportunity to take breaks during the simulated drive, half of the participants completed the experiment without taking any breaks. The driver’s feelings of drowsiness were the significant reason to stop and take a much needed break. That doesn’t sound too surprising, we know, but the true measure of driver fatigue, “… the percent of time that their eyelids were closed over a 1-minute period” increased to dangerous levels for all drivers, meaning every driver needed a break.

Conducted with 90 participants, this research demonstrates the impact of drowsiness on decision-making during nighttime driving and emphasizes the necessity of educating drivers on the risks associated with drowsy driving. It also found that sufficient sleep, taking naps and consuming caffeine are effective in preventing or mitigating drowsy driving.

What are the dangers associated with tired driving?

Using the metric of percentage of time with eyelids closed in a one-minute span, tired driving poses numerous dangers on our Kansas City roads. Fatigue can impair a driver’s cognitive abilities, such as attention, concentration and judgment, leading to decreased situational awareness. It can also result in slower reaction times and a reduced ability to make quick decisions, which are crucial for avoiding potential hazards. Most catastrophically, dozing off, also known as microsleep episodes, becomes more and more likely as fatigue increases, which can lead to full-speed car accidents with other drivers, pedestrians or stationary objects.

Why should I seek a trusted lawyer after a driver fatigue-related accident?

A skilled team of personal injury lawyers can help protect your rights and navigate the complex legal process. If you have not done so already, be sure to seek prompt medical attention after any Kansas City, Missouri, accident in which you are involved. Your exam and medical history can provide your experienced attorney with valuable information to support you during your personal injury case.

The trusted team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys will gather evidence, such as police reports and eyewitness testimonies, as well as assess the extent of your injuries. This is where your prompt medical examination after your accident becomes valuable information for your attorney, as they calculate the appropriate compensation you deserve for expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.

Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially when it comes to proving fault and negotiating a fair settlement. Our experienced team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys have the expertise to handle these negotiations and fight for your rights. We will advocate for your best interests and ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Additionally, a lawyer can help identify other potentially liable parties, such as the trucking company responsible for a fatigued commercial driver or the truck driver themselves. They will explore all options to maximize your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, it is crucial to seek legal representation, right away. The tenacious lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys are here to represent you from start to finish and help alleviate some of the stress that comes along with being involved in any car accident. Find out for yourself why we were voted Kansas City’s favorite law firm. Call or contact us today at any of our convenient locations in Kansas City, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Parkville and St. Joseph, Missouri; and in Olathe, Kansas City and Overland Park, Kansas.