Drowsy Driving and Driving Impaired Have Similar Effects and Increase Truck Accident Injuries In Portland

Truck drivers have an undeniably demanding job. Their delivery schedules and the long hours they put in on the road cause many to go without adequate sleep. Unfortunately, this makes drowsy driving more likely to happen and it mimics the same types of effects as driving impaired. Find out more about the problem, which is a common cause of truck accidents in Portland.

Truck Rollover Accident Near Portland: Was Drowsy Driving To Blame?

A recent truck accident near Portland left several motorists suffering serious harm. According to a June 10, 2021 Oregon Live news report, the crash happened on Interstate 5, just north of Terwilliger Boulevard. A semi-truck rolled over on its side, trapping at least one vehicle under it. Rollovers often happen when carrying uneven loads and due to going too fast around curves. The fact that the driver was traveling at 4:30 a.m. indicates that drowsy driving may have been at least partially to blame.

Drowsy driving involves operating a car or truck while excessively fatigued. It occurs frequently among college students, who often stay up late hanging out with friends or studying for exams, sleep-deprived new parents, shift workers, and anyone with insomnia, sleep apnea, or other types of sleep disorders. Drowsy driving is particularly common in the trucking industry and is often due to the following:

• Pick-up and drop-off times that require truckers to travel all night;
• Too few days off, which never allow them to catch up on needed rest;
• Quick turnaround times and truck company policies that do not allow for breaks;
• The monotony of being on the road for lengthy periods, which makes them more likely to get tired or doze off.

How Drowsy Driving Is Similar to Driving Impaired

There are obvious concerns about drivers who drink while behind the wheel or use other substances either to relax or to remain awake for long periods. While there are strict laws and trucking company policies that prohibit this type of behavior, drowsy driving often goes ignored. However, the fact is that the two are dangerously similar. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that driving while tired mimics the same effects as driving impaired. Common impacts both have in common include:

• Poor judgment;
• Blurred vision;
• Decreased depth perception;
• Lack of coordination;
• Slower reaction times.

While drowsy driving is just as likely to increase the risk of truck accidents as driving under the influence, many are unaware of the dangers as it is harder to prove and often goes unreported.

It’s important to note here, that several changes to the Oregon DUII laws were introduced in 2024. Learn more about them, here.

Contact Us Today for Help with Your Case

At the Johnston Law Firm P.C., we investigate truck accidents and determine how and why they happened so that you can get the compensation you are entitled to in a claim. If you are injured in this type of crash, get our Portland truck accident attorneys on your side. Give us a call at (503) 546-3167 or contact our office online to request a consultation today.