When your work is to drive a truck, it’s easy to imagine that fatigue will be an issue. After all, truck drivers must stay awake and alert while on the road. A study from BMC Psychology Journal reveals that 18.6% of single-truck accidents occur due to driver fatigue.
However, it’s important to remember that not all drivers are created equal. Some people are more prone to feeling tired than others. In this post, we’ll first discuss what causes fatigue and then dive into ways to avoid falling victim to exhaustion behind the wheel.
Understanding Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are often required to work long hours and can be sleep-deprived. Truck drivers are also overworked and underpaid, which can lead to burnout.
For instance, property-carrying truck drivers are required to drive for 14 hours. Hence, they get only 10 hours off after each day ends. On the other hand, commercial truck drivers, in general, are required to take 34 hours off after every 60-70 hour driving limit.
To understand why these circumstances might lead to fatigue, let’s look at how a typical day might go for one such worker. Usually, truck drivers wake up at 4:00 a.m. every morning to get ready for work by 5:00 a.m. They then drive two hours each way before reaching their destination.
Upon arrival at his destination, he must unload all items loaded onto his vehicle during its previous trip. This usually takes about a few hours. Once everything has been unloaded from his rig into storage or onto shelves, he loads another delivery onto the truck.
All of this physical work can be tiring. Hence, drivers are required to take proper rest not only for their safety but also for others. A driver with fatigue on the road can cause accidents, which can harm others, too. So, if you get into an accident because of another driver’s fatigue or negligence, you can file a lawsuit.
According to Russell & Hill, PLLC, ignoring laws around how long a driver should work can lead to fatigue. This fatigue can cause accidents, which can harm you. In such cases, it is vital to seek legal assistance, as you might even have to deal with insurance companies.
An attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve. Moreover, truck accident attorneys can also help file a lawsuit if the insurance company denies fair compensation. They will have the knowledge and expertise to gather evidence to strengthen and win your case.
Regulatory Measures
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented regulations to reduce the risk of truck driver fatigue. These regulations include:
- Mandatory rest periods: Drivers must take a minimum amount of off-duty time after driving for 10 hours.
- Mandatory off-duty time: The driver must be free from all driving duties in a day for eight consecutive hours. However, he or she may work during an emergency or unforeseen circumstances that require immediate action.
- Limiting a truck driver’s hours: Truckers are limited to 11 hours behind the wheel in any 14-hour workday and 60 total on duty per week.
Common Signs of Fatigue
Fatigue is a mental and physical state that occurs when a person is awake for an extended period. It can lead to reduced alertness, slower reaction time, and impaired judgment, increasing the risk of road accidents.
Common signs of fatigue include:
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Slower reaction time
- Tiredness or lethargy
- Poor attention span
The Role of Technology
Technology can help drivers stay alert and aware, but it can also be used to track driver fatigue. Technology is constantly being developed, so there are new ways to track your sleep and rest patterns.
The following are some examples of how technology can help you get enough rest:
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): ELDs are mandated in many countries and help monitor and enforce Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. These devices automatically track drivers’ hours, ensure they take rest breaks, and adhere to daily driving limits, reducing fatigue risk.
There are also sleep tracker apps available for this. Nearly 90% of the US population uses smartphones. On the other hand, only 20% of the population wears fitness trackers today. Hence, apps with in-built sleep trackers can be easily integrated into truck drivers’ lives.
- Fatigue monitoring systems: Various advanced fatigue monitoring systems use cameras, infrared sensors, and machine learning algorithms to assess a driver’s state of alertness. They can detect drowsiness, distraction, or inattention and warn the driver and/or fleet manager.
- Telematics and GPS systems: These systems can provide real-time data on a truck’s location, traffic conditions, and routes. This data can be used to optimize routes, reduce traffic-related stress, and improve overall scheduling to minimize the pressure on drivers.
- Route planning and navigation apps: Advanced GPS and route planning apps can help drivers easily find rest stops, fuel stations, and accommodation. This reduces the stress associated with finding essential services during long hauls.
- Communication and connectivity: Enhanced communication tools can help drivers stay connected with their dispatchers and get real-time updates on road conditions and potential delays. This reduces the uncertainty that can contribute to fatigue.
- Driver training and education: Technology can be used to develop and deliver training programs focusing on fatigue management. They can also teach how to recognize signs of fatigue and best practices for staying alert on the road.
Preventive Strategies
There are several preventive strategies that you can take to help reduce the risk of a truck driver fatigue-related accident.
- Take breaks: The most effective way to prevent truck driver fatigue is by taking regular intervals during your shift. To maximize productivity, planning out these breaks in advance is essential to ensure they fit into your schedule.
- Get enough sleep: Before starting work each day, you should get enough sleep. A CDC survey revealed that 1 in 25 adult drivers have reported falling asleep behind the wheel as of November 2022. It is wise to stay off the road if you’re tired, even though it isn’t time for one of those scheduled breaks. As mentioned earlier, longer shifts may increase your risk for accidents because they cause more cumulative hours behind the wheel.
- Limit driving hours: Comply with federal and state regulations regarding maximum driving hours per day and week.
- Healthy diet: Encourage yourself to maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Avoid heavy meals before or during driving, as they can lead to drowsiness.
- Hydration: Ensure you stay adequately hydrated to maintain alertness. Also, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, especially before driving.
- Physical activity: Exercise regularly to stay physically fit and reduce the risk of fatigue. Learn simple exercises and stretches that can be done during breaks.
Conclusion
The statistics are alarming and show that the problem of truck driver fatigue is severe. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to prevent it from happening and reduce the risks associated with it. You can start by educating yourself on the signs of fatigue to know what to do next when you feel tired. We hope this article helped provide information about staying safe on our roadways.
