Fatigue can set in at virtually any given moment and leave you feeling tired and struggling to focus on the tasks in front of you. If you are at home or work when this happens, this may lead to little more than a minor inconvenience or disruption to your schedule, but it might not necessarily lead to harm.
However, should fatigue set in while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, the fallout could prove far more dangerous. Drivers who navigate California roads while under the effects of fatigue may struggle to safely operate their vehicles, and such negligence could pose a significant threat to your safety.
Drowsy driving
While you might be aware of the hazards of drowsy driving, knowing how similar concerns might impact driving capabilities is another matter altogether. Studies indicate that fatigue can affect your ability to operate a vehicle in various ways, such as:
- Reduce response times: Fatigue inherently lowers a driver’s response times, and those who struggle to react to the situations at hand may be at greater risk of creating a hazardous situation.
- Driver coordination: Studies indicate that fatigue can also affect your coordination, and anything that disrupts such a vital component of safe driving can be exceedingly dangerous.
- Lack of focus: Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of collisions, and studies indicate that the presence of fatigue may lead to an increased risk of distraction.
- Lane control: Once fatigue sets in, you may struggle to maintain lane control, and veering in and out of traffic lanes can be dangerous in virtually any scenario.
- Speed and distance: Fatigue can also affect your ability to control the speed of your vehicle, judge distances and practice proper spacing techniques.
It might not always be easy to spot a fatigued driver in time to steer to safety. Should a collision occur, you could suffer serious or even permanent harm in the process.
Fatigue-related crash
A collision involving a fatigued driver could disrupt your life in various ways, and suffering severe injuries under similar scenarios can be a difficult thing to accept. Along with any physical or emotional harm involved, the incident may also prompt dire financial challenges stemming from the costs of medical care and loss of wages during the recovery period. The incident may also run the risk of leading to permanent injuries that could diminish your quality of life and make it difficult for you to perform everyday tasks.