The inability to safely operate a commercial vehicle is hampered by truck driver weariness, a state of physical and mental exhaustion. Numerous things, including lengthy driving hours, poor sleep schedules, and short rest periods, might contribute to fatigue. When drivers are tired, their reaction times drop down, they have trouble making decisions, and they may lose focus or even fall asleep behind the wheel. These signs can result in car accidents, which put the driver and other drivers at great risk.
It might be difficult to stay awake when driving, especially on long journeys. Driving while fatigued can be just as risky as driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Finding techniques to drive safely and attentively is crucial for this reason.
It's important to treat driver fatigue seriously. An estimated 1 in 5 fatal crashes, according to the expert's research, involved driver fatigue. The night before a trip, aim to obtain at least seven to eight hours of sleep. The federal Department of Transportation will actually force you to abide by the rules that govern the amount of time you must rest before driving if you have a commercial driver's license.
Here are some of our expert recommendations for preventing and combating driver fatigue
It's crucial to remember that driver weariness is more than just a problem for long-distance travelers. Anyone can feel sleepy while operating a motor vehicle, especially if you've worked long hours, work shifts or physically demanding jobs, or have sleep apnea.
1. Get a good night’s sleep before your trip.
Getting the full amount of necessary sleep might be challenging when there is so much to accomplish daily. It is even more crucial to get those seven to nine hours when you are planning to drive a long distance. Many factors can contribute to driver drowsiness, but sleep deprivation the night before is one of the main offenders. You won't be as alert of what is happening on the road if you run on fumes. You need to ensure you're getting enough sleep before starting your next journey if you want to drive safely.
2. Take frequent breaks when traveling.
On longer journeys, it is advised to stop every two hours. Even if the frequent stops appear inconvenient, it's better to be a little late than have an accident. In addition, stopping for a quick snack or meal while driving is vital to prevent driver tiredness when you grow hungry.
3. Keep your mind and body stimulated.
Contrary to popular opinion, temporary remedies for drowsiness, such as smoking, turning the radio, and opening the window, do not work. While engaging in these passive activities may temporarily increase your alertness, when your body gets used to them, they won't help you keep it up. You should instead engage in activities that stimulate both your body and mind.
4. Take short, frequent breaks.
It's best to plan regular breaks if you need to be attentive when driving for a long time. Every two hours or 100 miles, stop and stretch your legs for around ten minutes. As you travel, doing this will keep your body awake and energized.
It is best to take a break if you are showing significant symptoms of driver tiredness so that your body can heal and allow you to continue. Find a secure spot to stop and have a little power nap.
Ideally, naps last between ten and twenty minutes.
5. Follow DOT Hours of Service rules.
“We are aware that you constantly battle the clock as a driver. The quantity of driving you can do in a day is controlled by DOT guidelines. Although these guidelines may appear burdensome, they are there for your protection and the safety of other drivers on the road. These guidelines are carefully adhered to, and breaking them will result in termination. Roadway fatalities and accidents are frequently brought on by fatigue. You must abide by these guidelines because of this”, - noted experts in the trucking industry.
“13% of crashes involving large trucks yearly result from driver weariness. To reduce accidents, a driver tiredness management strategy is essential. Federal, state, and municipal laws governing drive and rest times will all be covered by a comprehensive strategy. Carriers can measure driver hours and adhere to local and federal regulations governing driving time and rest periods with the proper technology. So let's see what the plan is”, -experts clarify.
Below is the fatigue plan for the fatigue management driving hours suggested by experts:
Moreover, stay focused and use ambient tools.
We took this video from Simplex Group YouTube Channel.
These anti-driver fatigue strategies could prevent a fatal collision and save your life and the lives of others. Any CMV driver must be aware of them and other crucial facts to prevent road risks.
The experts strongly advise including this and others in CMV driver safety training. Companies are already required by the Department of Transportation to offer training on topics like handling drug and alcohol addiction. Increased training on subjects like preventing driver sleepiness will make drivers safer, lower accident costs, and increase regulatory compliance.
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