If your job involves shift work in the evening, night or early morning, it is important to pay attention to signs of fatigue. When driving to or from your job, you could face an especially high chance of becoming involved in a traffic collision if you suffer from drowsiness.
Even if you do not work during these hours, you could become involved in a motor vehicle collision if a shift worker falls asleep behind the wheel or dozes off. Even seemingly minor fatigue can cause an accident when it interferes with driving and one’s ability to focus on the road.
Shift workers and accidents due to driver fatigue
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covered a number of risk factors related to drowsy driving accidents. In fact, the CDC outlined shift work as a major risk factor associated with drowsy driving crashes. Those who work long shifts or late shifts have an especially high chance of becoming drowsy behind the wheel. It is especially important for drivers to focus on staying alert and identify potentially dangerous fatigue if they have to adjust to a new schedule that involves working during these periods.
Other drowsy driving accident concerns
Aside from shift work, other factors contribute to the prevalence of drowsy driving collisions. For example, those who struggle with sleep disorders or have a single night of poor sleep can cause an accident. Some medications can make drivers drowsy, and those who drive for lengthy periods of time (such as bus drivers and truckers) can also deal with fatigue.
In the wake of a drowsy driving accident, pinpointing another driver’s fatigue can prove challenging. However, you need to gather evidence and go over your options, especially if the crash left you injured.
