Fully rested truck drivers are safer truck drivers than those who are fatigued. That’s critical when you’re talking about tractor-trailer trucks that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.
West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 08, 2014
Commercial truck drivers who take one nighttime rest period before starting their workweek were less attentive and more prone to lane drifting than drivers who took two nighttime rest periods, according to a recent federal study that came as no surprise to West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer David J. Glatthorn.
Glatthorn expressed his comments in response to an article about the study published by Fleet Owner (“FMCSA says study supports HOS restart change,” Jan. 30, 2014).
“This study confirms what our law firm has known for a long time: tired truck drivers are dangerous truck drivers,” Glatthorn said. “This is why federal regulations exist mandating that truck drivers take required rest breaks. Fully rested truck drivers are safer truck drivers than those who are fatigued. That’s critical when you’re talking about tractor-trailer trucks that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. All it takes is one small mistake to cause a massive accident involving these big-rig trucks.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released the findings of a study comparing commercial truck drivers who took two nights rest versus one night’s rest before starting a workweek, Fleet Owner reported. The study was conducted by the Washington State University Sleep and Performance Research Center and Philadelphia-based Pulsar Informatics based on information provided by 106 participants, 1,260 days of data and nearly 415,000 miles of electronically recorded driving, Fleet Owner reported.
According to Fleet Owner, the study found that truck drivers with only one night’s rest:
- Exhibited more lapses of attention, especially at night;
- Reported greater sleepiness, especially toward the end of their duty periods; and
- Showed increased lane deviation in the morning, afternoon and at night.
Tired truck drivers must be held accountable for their actions if they cause truck accidents, West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer Glatthorn said.
“I realize commercial truck drivers are under pressure to deliver products to their destinations, but public safety should never be sacrificed, no matter how much time or money is saved,” Glatthorn said. “Truck drivers and trucking companies need to be held accountable for their actions. But that’s often easier said than done. Many trucking companies will do everything they can to avoid paying injury victims after a truck accident. That’s why I work so hard on these cases. I believe accident victims shouldn’t have to suffer financially because of someone else’s reckless behavior.”
For more information about tractor-trailer accidents and the legal options available to Florida injury victims, call (800) 990-9394 or complete the online contact form.
About David J. Glatthorn, Personal Injury Lawyer
A Board Certified trial lawyer, West Palm Beach personal injury attorney David Glatthorn handles a range of legal cases in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, negligent security and wrongful death claims and lawsuits. Attorney Glatthorn has a strong track record for obtaining large, sometimes multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. That’s how attorney Glatthorn earned his membership in the prestigious “Million Dollar Advocates Forum,” an organization reserved for lawyers who have obtained a verdict or settlement worth over $1 million for a client. Attorney Glatthorn offers a free case evaluation to all clients and works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing if you don’t win.
Attorney David J. Glatthorn
506-A Datura Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(800) 990-9394
http://www.davidglatthornlaw.com/