How To Fight Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is an often-underestimated problem that extends well beyond the truck’s cab, potentially affecting the driver’s employer, freight customers, and other drivers sharing the road. And it doesn’t just affect long-haul drivers—fatigue can afflict anyone behind the wheel for any amount of time. As a safety issue that exists independently of the truck or equipment, driver fatigue can be difficult to plan for, and even more difficult to avoid. Potential causes can include poor sleep or a lack of sleep, scheduling deadlines, long hours, insufficient trip planning, and a variety of personal factors that the driver may be experiencing. By following a handful of common-sense strategies, however, drivers can avoid fatigue or treat it before it becomes a problem. Follow these tips to be more awake to safety issues whenever you get behind the wheel.

Causes Of Driver Fatigue

The list of reasons you may be feeling sleepy can be numerous, but the key is recognizing that when you’re sleepy, your judgement may be impaired, your reaction time increases, and you won’t be safe behind the wheel until you address the problem. Some common causes of driver fatigue include:

•             A lack of sleep

•             Not enough quality sleep

•             Sleep disorders

•             Illness

•             The use of drugs or alcohol

Symptoms Of Driver Fatigue

As you remain awake, your body generates chemicals that eventually build up in your brain telling you that it’s time to sleep, eventually stimulating the brain patterns that occur when you sleep. This chemical buildup causes “sleep pressure,” which is the urge to go to sleep. You can only ignore or delay this urge for so long before your body begins to fight back. Quickly recognising these symptoms for what they are and taking steps to address the issue is vital. Here are some common symptoms that signal you’re in need of some sleep:

•             Excessive yawning

•             Droopy eyes

•             Microsleep, or experiences of “lost time”

•             Moments where you can’t remember driving the last few kilometres

•             Light sensitivity

•             Bleary, watery eyes

•             Loss of concentration

•             Inability to maintain speed

•             Impatience

•             Irritability

What To Do If You’re Experiencing Fatigue

When you know you’re drowsy, sleep deprived, or fatigued, it’s important to stop driving as soon as it’s safe to do so. This may be inconvenient and could set back your schedule, but it can save lives, and you can’t put a price on your safety and the safety of others.

How To Prevent Driver Fatigue

There are as many potential solutions to driver fatigue as there are causes of driver fatigue. Generally, though, the best way to solve this problem is to get some quality sleep. Adults typically need between seven and eight hours of sleep every 24 hours to feel naturally rested. It’s also a good idea to sleep when you naturally start getting sleepy; this is your body’s internal clock telling you to rest, and you’ll feel better when you pay attention to these signals.

Also, keep in mind that fatigue prevention isn’t just for the driver to sort out. Any party in the road transport supply chain, from the contractor, scheduler, consignor, or consignee to the loading manager and others can be held legally responsible for ensuring the driver has ample opportunities to get the necessary amounts of rest and sleep. Some fatigue-battling options include:

•             Maintaining a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise

•             Illness-induced fatigue may require additional time for healing

•             Avoid using illegal drugs and limit your consumption of alcohol

•             Avoid looking at a mobile phone, TV, or computer screen prior to going to bed to get the most restful sleep

•             Taking short, 10- to 45-minute naps can reduce your feelings of fatigue

•             Following a nap, let your body wake fully before you get back behind the wheel

•             Caffeinated drinks offer a burst of wakefulness, but the effect is limited and the crash afterward can leave you feeling even more drained

•             To disrupt the monotony of a long drive, play mental games, take short breaks, listen to audiobooks or music, or talk with others using a hands-free device or CB radio

•             When planning for a trip, budget plenty of time for adequate sleep, breaks, and meals

•             Be extra vigilant against fatigue when you know you will be driving at night

•             For employers and fleet operators, ensure you have adequate staffing to allow all of your drivers to get the appropriate amount of sleep

•             Employers and fleet owners should also schedule extra time in case a driver needs to take a break from the road every so often

•             Alternate drivers to ensure those on long-haul jobs have ample time to recover and rest

•             Keep detailed logs of driving hours and any other assigned tasks to help properly budget time for resting and sleep

•             Follow all Hours of Service (HoS) regulations, or any other fatigue-prevention statutes in place where you’re driving