Fatigue-Alyzer?

Driver fatigue is a major cause of highway accidents, including those involving long-haul truckers.  However, it can be difficult to prove fatigue was the cause of a crash since the crash itself wakes up the driver, despite the occasional confession and the strong inferences that can be drawn from truck driver logs that are not “comic books.”  Now, however, there is scientific research pointing toward the possibility of a “fatigue-alyzer.” A research group at Washington University in St. Louis recently stumbled upon a connection between the digestive enzyme amylase and drowsiness.  For an effective real-world test, researchers need to find a half-dozen or so markers that correlate with drowsiness.   While we may be years from having a working “fatigue-alyzer,” the feasibility of such a test points the way to a deterrent to overly tired drivers, just as blood alcohol tests help to deter people from driving while intoxcated.

The Shigley Law Firm  represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases statewide in Georgia, and in other states subject to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. Ken Shigley was designated as a “SuperLawyer” in Atlanta Magazine and one of the “Legal Elite” in Georgia Trend Magazine. He is a Certified Civil Trial Advocate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Chair of the Southeastern Motor Carrier Liability Institute and former chair of the Georgia Insurance Law Institute. He particularly focuses on cases arising from truck wrecks and accidents (tractor trailers truck wrecks, semi truck wrecks,18 wheeler truck wrecks, big rig truck wrecks, log truck wrecks, dump truck wrecks.