Fatigue Driving Can Happen to Us All
Posted June 11th, 2014 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Auto Accidents.
The recent news about Tracy Morgan crash has brought a lot of attention to the trucking laws throughout the United States. Although truckers are legally allowed to spend so many hours on the road without resting, many truckers ignore this rule. This can cause many accidents because of drowsy drivers, much like what happened this past weekend.
In 2003, New Jersey had passed Maggie’s Law, which states drivers who, after staying awake for 24 hours, get into a fatal accident will be charged with vehicular homicide. It was named after Maggie McDonnell, who had died in a head-on collision with a fatigued driver. Now the law may be used in the case of the death of comedian James McNair after the truck driver had admitted being awake for over 24 hours.
In the days following the accident, the U.S. Senate had decided to weaken the current trucker fatigue rules, which would have suspended the requirement that truckers had forced to rest for at least 34 consecutive hours, basically the length of a weekend, before starting their next work week. Although the bill is still in up for discussion, perhaps this recent accident will change the Senate’s mind.
Driver fatigue is the number one factor in large truck crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Stricter rules on preventing driver fatigue not only need to be put into effect but also be enforced. And not only for truck drivers but for all drivers.
According to the National Safety Council, 60 percent of drivers admitted to falling asleep while driving on a roadway of speeds up to 55 mph or higher. That is a frightening statistic. And just like driving while drunk, being drowsy can reduce your reaction time and decrease your awareness.Please, if you feel fatigued while drive, stop and take a nap. Getting there on time is not worth your life or someone else’s. Let’s stop this epidemic before it takes another life.
Please, if you feel fatigued while drive, stop and take a nap. Getting there on time is not worth your life or someone else’s. Let’s stop this epidemic before it takes another life.
If you get into a car or a truck accident, we are here to help you. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today.
