Illinois CDL Practice Exam

Driver fatigue is one of the primary causes of truck accidents due to the significant impact it has on a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. When a driver is fatigued, their reaction times slow down, decision-making abilities become impaired, and overall attentiveness decreases. This can lead to missed signals, failure to notice changing road conditions, and an increased likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel.

Statistics from various safety organizations consistently show that fatigue is a leading factor in many road accidents involving trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) even identifies drowsy driving as a critical safety issue, which underscores the necessity for strict regulations concerning hours of service for truck drivers to mitigate this risk.

In contrast, vehicle color, road construction, and excessive speed limits may contribute to accidents, but they do not have the same pervasive and predictable impact on driver performance as fatigue does. While these factors can certainly influence safety, they often do so in a less direct manner compared to the cognitive and physical impairments caused by fatigue.