NPTC Safety Article- July 2026 – Understanding Fatigue

One of the leading causes of truck accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is truck driver fatigue. According to the agency, 13% of truck drivers involved in crashes are fatigued. Fatigue can result from inadequate sleep, lengthy hours of work, physical or mental exertion that harms performance, or strenuous activities. The National Sleep Foundation recommends healthy adult sleep 7-9 hours per day, yet 30% of adults report they get less than six hours. In fact, commercial vehicle drivers average less than five hours of sleep per night. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates drowsy driving causes at least 100,000 police-reported crashes and kills more than 1,550 Americans yearly.