Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Fatigued driving in Hollywood and other communities is a serious problem, especially among truck drivers. Truck drivers have to cover large amounts of territory as part of their jobs and operate heavy trucks that can cause catastrophic injury if drivers lose control of their vehicles or fall asleep at the wheel. According to safety experts, however, driver fatigue continues to be a significant factor in many trucking collisions in Hollywood and other communities.
In an effort to curb fatigued driving, federal rules have been established to limit the number of hours commercial drivers can stay on the road. Truck drivers must take a specific number of mandated rest breaks each week they work and must keep track of distances driven and hours rested in written logs. Drivers also trained to recognize and safely deal with fatigue on the road.
Working Conditions and Fatigue
Despite these measures, however, driver fatigue continues to cause collisions. According to some safety experts, working conditions may play a role in driver fatigue and in accident rates. Specifically, some safety experts have stated that drivers who have a financial incentive to stay on the road longer may continue driving even when tired. A recent paper presented at a conference in Berlin supported that idea and concluded that truck drivers who are paid by the miles driver or by the trip may take more drugs when driving and may drive longer distances when compared with drivers who are paid an hourly wage or a set salary.
The paper was presented by researchers from Monash University who examined the ways that the compensation of 350 Australian truck drivers affected their levels of fatigue. According to the researchers, drivers paid by the trip or by distance driven drove an average of 5.3 hours before taking a rest while drivers being paid a salary or hourly wage took more frequent brakes. Drivers who were paid by the trip or by distance driven drove, on average, up to 150 km a day longer than drivers paid a salary and were more likely to have slept in their truck at night. This may be significant since the researchers claimed that any driving above four hours could potentially place drivers at a risk of fatigue.
Drug use was also higher among drivers paid by distance or trips. None of the drivers being paid hourly wages reported using amphetamines while driving, compared to 10 percent of drivers paid by the trip and 2 percent of truck drivers paid by distance driven.
Getting Legal Advice After Being Injured by a Negligent Driver
Have you been injured by a fatigued or unsafe driver? Let Flaxman Law Group tell you whether you have a claim or options for securing compensation in your case. Our law firm can handle every detail of your case, from finding you a doctor and rental car to representing you with insurance carriers or in court as we fight for justice and damages. Contact our legal team for a free case review to find out whether you have a claim. You can reach us at any time through our website or by calling 1-866-FLAXMAN (1-866-352-9626).