New AI-driven technology is being developed to tackle one of the leading causes of truck accidents: drowsy driving. According to FleetOwner, fatigue-related crashes are a major risk in the trucking industry, but advancements in AI may soon help prevent these accidents.
By monitoring driver alertness and detecting signs of fatigue in real-time, this technology has the potential to improve road safety and significantly reduce accidents caused by tired truck drivers.
How common are truck accidents caused by drowsy drivers?
Tired truck drivers are a major contributor to commercial truck accidents across the nation. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an estimated 13% of all truck accidents involve driver fatigue.
However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggests the number may be much higher, estimating that up to 30–40% of large truck crashes are due to drowsy driving.
With approximately 168,000 commercial truck accidents occurring each year, this translates to between 21,800 and 67,000 crashes annually caused by fatigued drivers.
AI drowsiness detection technology could help prevent truck wrecks
Samsara, a leader in fleet management technology, has developed a real-time AI system called Drowsiness Detection to combat driver fatigue. According to FleetOwner, this AI system identifies signs of drowsiness in commercial truck drivers, alerting both the driver and their manager when fatigue-related risks arise on the road.
Drowsiness Detection goes beyond simply spotting yawns or eye closure. Instead, it uses patterns from more than 38 billion minutes of video footage to accurately assess when a driver may be falling asleep at the wheel.
By recognizing these early indicators, the technology enables trucking companies to adjust schedules or plan breaks, reducing the risk of fatigue-related accidents. As Evan Welbourne, Samsara’s VP of AI and Data, noted, “It’s hard to detect when someone is truly drowsy... That’s where the scale of Samsara’s data sets our solution apart.”
Truck accidents caused by drowsy drivers are among the most dangerous
Truck accidents involving drowsy drivers are among the most severe, often resulting in devastating consequences for everyone involved. Here’s why fatigue-related truck accidents are so dangerous:
Failure to brake
When semi-truck drivers fall asleep at the wheel, they often don’t apply the brakes before impact, leading to high-speed crashes that can cause catastrophic damage. The lack of braking increases the force of impact, putting smaller vehicles and their occupants at extreme risk.
High speeds intensify impact
Many fatigued truck drivers don’t reduce their speed, which makes collisions even more dangerous. The weight and velocity of a fully loaded tractor-trailer amplify the severity of the accident, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities, especially when impacting smaller vehicles.
Lane drift and head-on collisions
Drowsy truck drivers are prone to drifting out of their lanes on highways, sometimes crossing into oncoming traffic. This type of collision, particularly at high speeds, can be deadly. Lane drifting due to fatigue also puts nearby vehicles at risk for sideswipe accidents.
Impaired judgment
Fatigue impairs decision-making and reaction time, leading drowsy truck drivers to make risky moves such as misjudging gaps, tailgating, or failing to adjust for road hazards. These poor decisions can lead to sudden, high-impact collisions.
Increased risk of rollover and jackknife accidents
Tired truckers are more likely to lose control, especially when operating a tractor-trailer. Fatigue can cause erratic steering or delayed response to sudden turns, leading to dangerous rollovers or jackknife accidents. These accidents can create multi-vehicle pileups and block highways for hours.
Longer stopping distances
Fatigue slows reaction time, causing tired truck drivers to take longer to respond to traffic changes or obstacles. This delay in reaction increases stopping distances, which can mean the difference between a close call and a life-threatening accident.
Inattention to road conditions
Drowsy drivers often fail to notice changing road or weather conditions, such as rain or ice, which require quick adjustments. This lack of awareness can result in serious accidents, as an 18-wheeler's size and weight make it harder to control on slippery roads.
Our Georgia truck accident lawyers fight for accountability
Tractor-trailer accidents caused by drowsy drivers are entirely preventable. With smarter scheduling, enforced breaks, and advanced monitoring systems, trucking companies can reduce the risk of these devastating crashes. Yet, when companies fail to address driver fatigue, serious accidents often follow, leaving victims with life-changing injuries and losses.
Unfortunately, commercial truck accident cases are rarely straightforward. With multiple parties potentially at fault and significant financial stakes, insurance companies and trucking businesses often work hard to minimize or deny claims by accident victims. Instead of offering fair compensation, they may try to reduce their payout or avoid responsibility altogether.
At the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C., our experienced Georgia truck accident lawyers know how to navigate these complex cases. With years of expertise, we move quickly to build strong claims backed by a proven record of results—over $1 billion recovered for Georgia families, including a $21.6 million verdict in a tractor-trailer case where we served as co-counsel.
Get the attorney who wrote the book on truck accident claims in Georgia. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. With offices across Georgia, including one in Atlanta, we’re here to help when you need us.
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