According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 1,443 crashes in New Jersey during 2022 that involved semi-trucks. This number includes 633 injury crashes and 24 that produced fatalities.
Driving a semi-truck through the icy roads of New Jersey demands total focus, and fatigue can turn this challenging task into a deadly one. As the winter season sets in, the heightened risks associated with fatigued driving can contribute to alarming semi-truck accidents on the icy highways of the Garden State.
Fatigue and icy roads
When it comes to operating large vehicles like semi-trucks, the consequences of driver fatigue can be catastrophic. Fatigue affects a driver’s alertness, reaction time and decision-making abilities. The effects of fatigue are similar to the impairments from drinking alcohol.
Add icy roads into the equation, and the danger escalates exponentially. Icy conditions demand precision and constant attention, making fatigue a particularly menacing factor.
Reduced reaction time on icy roads
Icy roads pose a significant challenge for any driver, but for fatigued truckers, the risks are even more pronounced. Slow reaction times become a critical issue, as tired drivers struggle to respond to sudden changes in road conditions or the movements of other vehicles. This delayed response can lead to devastating accidents.
Impaired decision-making in critical moments
Fatigue doesn’t just slow down reaction times; it also impairs a driver’s ability to make sound decisions, a factor magnified on icy roads. Navigating through patches of black ice or sudden snow squalls requires quick and precise decision-making. Fatigued truckers, however, may find themselves making flawed choices, putting themselves and others at risk.
Multi-vehicle pileups
Fatigued driving on icy New Jersey roads can trigger a domino effect, leading to multi-vehicle pileups. A single lapse in attention or a delayed reaction from a fatigued trucker can set off a chain reaction involving numerous vehicles. The result is often a chaotic and hazardous scene on the highway.
Prioritizing safety on icy roads
The combination of fatigued driving and icy roads is a recipe for disaster, especially when it involves semi-trucks. Truckers and all drivers need to prioritize safety, especially during winter, by recognizing the dangers of fatigue and taking proactive measures to stay alert.