Fatigued Driving – What the Average Motorist Should Look for on the Road

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) states that a

driver shall operate a commercial motor vehicle, and a motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle, while the driver’s ability or alertness is so impaired, or so likely to become impaired, through fatigue, illness, or any other cause, as to make it unsafe for him/her to begin or continue to operate the commercial motor vehicle.

As an Oklahoma trucking lawyer, driver fatigue is something we immediately look at in every motor-carrier collision. While there are medical conditions and other aspects we can and will discuss in the future that can clue one into driver fatigue, I want to touch briefly on what you can look for in other motorist that might alert you that the driver is fatigued.

The main effect of fatigue is a progressive withdrawal of attention from the road and traffic demands, leading to impaired performance behind the wheel. Things you should look at in fellow motorist is erratic speeding, lane position weaving, tailgating, following too closely, unnecessary braking, failing to use turn signals and simply failing to devote one’s full time and attention to the roadway.

So next time you are driving our roadways, pay attention and be a cautious driver and alert to your surroundings.