Daytime driving safer for large truck drivers

March 28, 2014 (Press-News.org) According to recent studies, commercial vehicle drivers ought to perform their duties during the daytime, whenever possible.

An Australian study -- recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology -- examined data from over 500 truck accidents that took place from 2008 to 2011. The researchers found that truck drivers who were behind the wheel from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. were three times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident than those who were driving between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

The lead author of the study noted that truck drivers who are on the road for over three consecutive hours at night could make mistakes similar to an individual driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent.

A similar study by the Washington State University Sleep and Performance Research Center found that truck drivers performed better when their break, a mandated rest period of 34 hours, spanned two nights rather than one. The researchers found that drivers who incorporated more nighttime periods during their break were more alert while behind the wheel.

New regulations take hint from sleep studies

Partially due to such studies, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration changed the safety regulations that dictate how frequently truck drivers are required to take breaks.

In July 2013, the regulations changed to require truck drivers to include a minimum of two night periods during their long, 34-hour break before they are allowed to get back on the road. Now, during that break, they must include two nighttime periods, defined as the time between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Avoid serious truck accidents in Rhode Island

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 273,000 accidents involving large trucks in the U.S. in 2011. Of those, over 3,340 truck accidents resulted in at least one fatality and another 60,000 collisions led to individuals suffering injuries.

In Rhode Island, four people lost their lives in large truck accidents in 2012, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a large truck accident, there are steps you can take to recover the losses suffered in the collision. In such cases, you ought to consider seeking the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney who can help to ensure your rights are protected.

Article provided by The Law Office of David Morowitz, Ltd.
Visit us at www.morowitzlaw.com