Truck driving can be an appealing job for a recently retired person to take up. Truck drivers get to travel and see the country while getting paid to drive. Some retired couples even get their CDLs together so that they can work together and drive in shifts. This can be great for people who retire from their primary career early, in their early 60’s or so. However, aging adults can start to experience a myriad of physical and mental health conditions that might impair their driving. While there are mechanisms for revoking an aging driver’s CDL for medical reasons, this is not always done in time. If you were injured in a truck accident caused by an aging driver who should not have been on the road, you should speak to an experienced Will County, IL truck accident attorney. You may be entitled to significant compensation.
Fatigue Affects Aging Drivers Differently
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of trucking accidents. There is a reason all drivers are required to take breaks according to a strict schedule. Hours of service laws, as they are called, are designed to make sure that truck drivers get adequate rest and do not make mistakes due to being overly tired. However, the hours of service regulations are designed for truckers who are reasonably fit and healthy. Older adults may require longer and more frequent rest breaks to prevent dangerous levels of fatigue.