ADS Logistics Supply Chain Management Blog

Truck Drivers: Avoid Driver Fatigue

  

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Have you ever noticed how many energy drink commercials are marketed toward truck drivers? For the companies that make these drinks, this marketing strategy is a very good approach to increasing sales. Some of the companies have testimonials from truck drivers saying how the drink keeps them awake on the road. In most cases, this is false advertising. This is not to say the drink will not keep you awake for a short time; it is to say that consuming too many caffeinated drinks is not a good solution to driver fatigue

Driver fatigue is predominantly caused by sleep deprivation. This is when the body is subjected to an irregular sleep pattern and it has trouble adjusting. Humans were never designed to be nocturnal, but with some of the schedules that truckers have to deal with, you’d think some of us would’ve adapted.

Driving while fatigued is not only a danger to the driver, but also to everyone on the road. Driving a big rig while tired is even more dangerous. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that almost 20% of all fatal crashes (involving large trucks) were cause by driver fatigue. Also, fatigue can be attributed to 7% of all accidents, fatal or non-fatal. The early hours of the morning and the middle of the afternoon are the peak times for fatigue accidents. These times seem obvious and they are for the most part, but this does not mean that fatigued driving is easy to track. Even though there are specific times where drivers are more prone to tired driving, drivers often falsify reports so they can keep driving and make deadlines faster. However, the new CSA 2010 regulations are really cracking down on the drivers, especially when it comes to driving tired.

To avoid being slammed with penalties from the FMCSA, here are some tips to avoiding tired driving:

TIP # 1: GET ENOUGH SLEEP BEFORE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL

• Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. (about eight hours)
• If possible, do not drive while your body is naturally drowsy, (between the hours of 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Driver drowsiness may impair a driver’s response time to potential hazards, increasing the chances of being in a crash. 

 TIP # 2: MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET

• Skipping meals or eating at irregular times may lead to fatigue.
• Going to bed with an empty stomach or immediately after a heavy meal can interfere with sleep.
•  A light snack before bed may help you achieve more restful sleep.

TIP # 3: TAKE A NAP

• Naps should last a minimum of 10 minutes, but ideally a nap should last up to 45 minutes.
• Allow at least 15 minutes after waking to fully recover before starting to drive.

TIP # 4: AVOID MEDICATION THAT MAY INDUCE DROWSINESS

• Avoid medications that may make you drowsy if you plan to get behind the wheel.
• Some of the most common medicines that may make you drowsy are: tranquilizers, sleeping pills, allergy medicines and cold medicines.

TIP # 5: RECOGNIZE THE SIGNALS AND DANGERS OF DROWSINESS

• Pay attention: Indicators of drowsiness include: frequent yawning, heavy eyes, and blurred vision.
• Behaviors such as smoking, turning up the radio, drinking coffee, opening the window, and other “alertness tricks” are not real cures for drowsiness and may give you a false sense of security.

TIP # 6: DO NOT BE COMPLETELY RELIANT ON THESE “ALERTNESS TRICKS” TO KEEP YOU AWAKE

For more info see:

• FMCSA Driver Fatigue Information