We’ve all heard the warning that “speed kills”. As a motorcycle rider, you’ve probably heard more than your fair share of lectures on the dangers of speeding on a motorbike, especially if you have a sleeker, faster sport bike. What you may not have heard as much about is the danger of drowsy driving.
What is drowsy driving? It is operating a motor vehicle when you are too mentally or physically tired to focus adequate attention on driving. Driving while tired, much like driving while intoxicated, can reduce reaction times, impair judgment, and lead to serious or even fatal collisions.
When it comes to motorcycle wrecks, you have to worry about your own state of mind and also the state of mind of other road users. Truckers, car drivers, pickup truck drivers, bus drivers, and all other kinds of road users can get behind the wheel when they are really too tired to safely drive.
What does this mean for you? It means that you can be hurt – badly – if a tired driver doesn’t notice you or isn’t paying attention because they are fatigued. And it means that you can make critical errors or not react quickly enough to a road hazard if you’re tired.
No matter what the circumstances, no rider deserves to be hurt in a motorcycle crash. There are often many factors that go into an accident, and fatigue can be a major contributing factor or just one small part of it. If you or someone you know is suffering because of a motorcycle wreck, please talk to a lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accident cases – it could make a huge difference in the success of your case.