Truck driver fatigue continues to threaten the safety of Colorado roads, despite federal regulations and industry awareness campaigns. When an exhausted trucker loses focus or falls asleep at the wheel, the consequences are often catastrophic, especially for people in smaller vehicles.
At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating these crashes can be. Fatigue-related truck accidents often lead to life-altering injuries or loss, and they are entirely preventable.
What Is Truck Driver Fatigue?
Truck driver fatigue is a condition of physical and mental exhaustion that makes it dangerous – and sometimes impossible – for a driver to stay alert, make good decisions, and react to changes in traffic. Driver fatigue is more than just being tired. It compromises judgment, slows reaction times, and increases the chance of serious crashes.
Common causes of fatigue among truck drivers include:
- Extended hours of driving without adequate breaks
- Sleep deprivation or untreated conditions like sleep apnea
- Irregular or rotating schedules, especially on long-haul routes
- Overnight driving, which disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle
Many commercial drivers operate under immense pressure from trucking companies to deliver on time, even when it means skipping rest.
Truck Driver Fatigue Endangers Everyone
A drowsy truck driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver. A fatigued driver operating a semi truck may miss stopped traffic coming up over a hill, or may veer out of their lane while coming around a corner. Drowsy truckers may not notice road signs indicating steeper grades, or may miss initial signs for the exit ramps they need.
These dangerous crashes aren’t limited to highways; they also happen on local roads, in city traffic, and in residential neighborhoods, too.
The danger is not theoretical. Every time a driver falls asleep at the wheel or zones out due to exhaustion, every other person on the road is at risk. The most recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that in 2020, 68 people died in accidents involving a drowsy truck driver. Fatigue was the second-most common cause of trucker impairment.
The Primary Causes of Truck Driver Fatigue
Several factors contribute to truck driver fatigue. While personal choices and poor judgment can sometimes play a role, the root causes often go deeper. The act of driving a truck itself can be exhausting under the best circumstances. Additional causes of truck drive fatigue include:
- Poor health. Fatigue is often linked to common health issues in truckers, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, diabetes, and undiagnosed sleep disorders like apnea or insomnia. Medications such as antihistamines or muscle relaxants can cause drowsiness, and poor nutrition or dehydration can drain energy and alertness.
- Poor sleeping conditions. Noisy environments, erratic schedules, and disrupted sleep routines often prevent drivers from getting quality rest. Chronic sleep debt and overnight driving further disrupt natural sleep cycles and increase exhaustion.
- Monotony and repetition. Endless hours on flat, repetitive roads can lead to highway hypnosis, draining mental focus even when drivers aren’t technically sleepy. Inactivity also affects circulation and energy levels, compounding fatigue.
In some cases, however, driver fatigue is exacerbated by conditions outside of the driver’s control.
Regulatory Measures and Their Limitations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed Hours of Service (HOS) rules to combat fatigue. These regulations include:
- A maximum of 11 hours of driving in a 14-hour window
- Mandatory 30-minute breaks after 8 hours of driving
- A weekly cap on hours to ensure adequate sleep
But the system is far from perfect. Some drivers falsify logs. Some companies push unrealistic delivery schedules. Oversight may be limited, especially in remote areas or for smaller carriers.
Enforcement gaps allow fatigue to persist as a significant danger. Even with rules in place, we continue to see fatigue-related crashes on Colorado roads.
The Parking Problem
Truck drivers are required by law to take breaks and rest. However, there is one major issue: there are not enough legal and safe places for them to do so.
In July 2023, a Greyhound bus struck three tractor-trailers parked along an I-70 exit ramp in Illinois. Three people died. The truck drivers were uninjured. But this tragic collision highlights a national issue: long-haul drivers often have nowhere to stop.
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), truck parking shortages are one of the biggest safety concerns in the industry today. Drivers often park on exit ramps, highway shoulders, or commercial lots simply because there are no alternatives. These decisions, made out of necessity, create dangerous conditions for everyone.
How You Can Stay Safe Sharing Colorado’s Roads with Trucks
You cannot control how much rest a truck driver gets. But you can take steps to reduce your own risk when driving near commercial vehicles:
- Avoid lingering in a truck’s blind spots
- Give trucks extra space when merging or turning
- Use turn signals early and consistently
- Never cut off a car, they need more time and space to stop
- Be cautious around parked trucks, especially on highway shoulders
- Slow down in poor weather or low visibility
- Assume that truck drivers may be dealing with long hours and limited rest
- If a car is swerving or drifting, keep your distance
- Always wear your seatbelt and stay alert
- Report dangerous driving to local authorities when safe to do so
Staying aware and respectful of trucks on the road could help prevent a devastating collision.
How Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
When a fatigued truck driver causes a crash, the consequences can be devastating. Victims may face long recoveries, permanent injuries, or the loss of a loved one. At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we take these cases seriously.
If you or someone you care about has been hit by a commercial truck, a Colorado truck accident attorney from our team can help you:
- Investigate driver logs and identify HOS violations
- Determine if fatigue or sleep deprivation contributed to the crash
- Hold the trucking company accountable for unsafe practices
- Secure compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain
Our attorneys understand how to challenge misleading records and expose dangerous behavior behind the wheel. With over 30 years of experience and more than $2 billion recovered, our firm knows how to fight for Colorado crash victims.
Your consultation is always free. We are available 24/7. Contact us today to speak with a Colorado truck accident lawyer who can advocate for you while you focus on your recovery.
