Many motor vehicle accidents in Oklahoma are caused by drivers that have gone long periods of time without sleep. A fatigued truck driver was responsible for the 2014 crash in New Jersey that injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed comedian James McNair. Every year, fatigued drivers are involved in an estimated 7,500 fatal motor vehicle accidents, or roughly 25 percent of such accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, that number is likely to be an underestimate as drowsiness is difficult for investigators to detect after a crash.
Motor vehicle recalls have been increasing
Motorists in Oklahoma may benefit from understanding more about the recent spike in the number of recalls affecting auto dealerships in the United States. During 2014, there were almost 64 million vehicles recalled by federal authorities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association imposed a civil penalty totaling $105 million against Fiat Chrysler, the largest fine ever levied by the agency. According to the NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler manufactured over 500,000 vehicles equipped with faulty suspension components.
