In general, the human body is designed to be awake during the day and asleep at night. However, not every profession works on that same schedule. You may end up with a job in Missouri where you are working third shift. Shift work can be difficult on the body. According to Medical Daily, there are indications that beyond creating a higher risk that you will end up with heart conditions or other diseases, shift work can also turn you into a drowsy driver.
Going against the body’s natural rhythms and functions by sleeping during the day and being awake all night can cause issues that result in you never getting enough sleep. When you get behind the wheel, you may feel fine, but drowsy driving is an issue that can occur when you are not aware.
Drowsy driving can cause issues with reaction time and concentration. A study done on shift workers showed they were at an increased likelihood of getting into an accident after working a shift as opposed to when they have not worked. It did not matter if the worker was new to shift work or had been working third shift for years.
The best way to avoid accident risks when you are a shift worker is to not drive after working a shift. However, since that is not likely to be an option for most people, your better option is to monitor your sleep. Ensure you are getting proper rest and have fully recharged before going to work. This information is for education and not legal advice.
