Drinking a large amount of coffee can benefit many truck drivers over the short term. However, one study argues that drinking it excessively for the long term can raise the risk of a crash. Truckers in New Mexico should know that this study focused on two groups of truckers: those who consume one cup of coffee a day, and those who drink more than five.
A total of 3,007 drivers from eight states were analyzed by a U.K. transport safety analyst along with researchers at the Virginia Tech Transport Institute. They filled out a questionnaire and had their medical reports included as data. It turns out that 21.6% of the low coffee consumers were in a crash in the previous three years. Yet among the high coffee consumers, 27.8% admitted to being in a crash in the prior three years.
The high coffee consumers also reported that their overall health left something to be desired. Many said they smoke or drink more alcohol, get poor sleep and have an unhealthy diet. Now, the study only points out an association; researchers cannot say for certain that there is a cause-effect relationship. Still, further research could start to show, for example, just how many cups of coffee a day will start to tip truck drivers over into risky behavior.
Drowsy and inattentive driving are forms of negligence that could provide the reason for a claim on the part of an injured victim. A victim who needs to see if their case holds up under this state’s pure comparative negligence law may want to see a lawyer. If retained, the lawyer could handle every step of the filing and negotiating process. If a settlement cannot be reached, then the lawyer may advise the client to litigate.
