Is driver fatigue a factor in truck crashes?
Yes. Driver fatigue is associated with truck crashes. Research shows truck crash risk increases with driver hours behind the wheel. Crash risk is also higher between midnight and 6 a.m. The long hours truck drivers work cause sleep deprivation, circadian desynchronization, and fatigue. The Institute has found that truck drivers reporting hours-of-service violations were more likely to report having fallen asleep behind the wheel during the month before the interview. The proportion of large truck crashes for which fatigue is a contributing factor is uncertain.
