It’s been known for years now that driver fatigue is a serious risk – both on and off the job. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found fatigue was the top cause of driver distractions, representing 20 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. We’re just not getting enough sleep. Sleep-deprived driving is a particular concern in the U.S. oil and gas extraction industry, where vehicle crashes are the most common type of fatality.
In 2012, the motor vehicle fatality rate for workers in the oil and gas industry was more than eight times higher than that of private workers in other industries, according to NIOSH.