Fatigue and Rubbernecking

Posted on February 14, 2008 
Filed Under IN THE NEWS

Early Wednesday morning, a westbound tractor-trailer on I-40 near Shawnee, OK hit a bridge abutment, bursting into flames, and incinerating the driver, who may have been dead already from the impact. This has all the earmarkings of a classic fatigue wreck. Single vehicle, losing control for no reason. Maybe the tractor blew a steer tire, or maybe the truck swerved to avoid something in the road, but more than likely, this was a driver nodding off behind the wheel for a few seconds. Fatigue is one of the top factors in fatal, at-fault truck wrecks. If you nod off, you’re a passenger in an 80,000 pound unguided missile, traveling at 70 MPH. That’s a lot of force if you come to a sudden stop, probably more force than your body is designed to withstand.

A professional driver will always recognize the early warning signs of fatigue, and pull off the road for a nap. If you are yawning uncontrollably, or your eyelids drooping, you’d better think about a break. If you are weaving, or hitting the rumble strips on the shoulder, it’s time to pull off NOW! It’s just a matter of time before you’re in the median (or up against a bridge abutment).

Check out the video at the link. As the reporter is describing the tractor-trailer wreckage, a white van rear-ends a black car who had slowed down to rubberneck. POW! Caught on tape, too. I guess you’ll never stop people from rubbernecking, it’s just human nature, but any time you are on the road, pay attention to your driving. Driving a motor vehicle should command your full attention. If you want to see accidents, go on the Internet, or come here to the Arnold Safety Blog. Don’t watch them up close, as if you’re doing that, you’re not watching what you should be, which is the road.

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Eric Arnold is a Former Enforcement Agent with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and a leading expert on USDOT compliance for small businesses. Do you have a question for Eric Arnold? Email him at eric@arnoldsafety.com.

Arnold Safety simplifies D.O.T. Compliance for commercial vehicle operators. Get Eric Arnold’s USDOT Compliance Guide, DVD, & Regulations at ArnoldSafety.Com.

Learn more about Arnold Safety compliance consulting services at ArnoldSafety.Com.

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