ROAD FATIGUE -- Suggestions?

Eat after you're done driving.

 

NEVER DRIVE TIRED!!! If you get sleepy, take a nap. Nothing you haul will be worth your life or anybody else's life you share the road (or sidewalks) with. Now, if you spend more time sleeping than driving because your tired all the time, trucking won't be for you. You need to be able to handle long hours at the wheel for periods of time. You need to be able to operate on an irregular schedule. If you are someone who can not do that, it might not be for you.

But the only way to manage fatigue is to realize the signs of fatigue and get the needed rest.

 

Drink a ton of water.

 

Sleep. If you ever have to take No-Doz or any energy drink, please stay off the road. Coffee is fine.
If you can't get a good nights sleep and eat breakfast without wanting to sleep again, driving just may not be for you.

 

or maybe get a sleep study done for sleep apnea

 

Just because you buy a bike doesnt make you competition for Lance Armstrong. You have to build up to it. Same principle goes with driving. A new driver has to concentrate on keeping his rig in his lane, managing speed, checking mirrors and gauges...etc. This concentrating will lead to mental fatigue. The more you drive, the more natural things will come to you. The more natural it is for you to keep the rig in between the lines, the less mental strain, the longer you can stay in the saddle.

One more thing: If food makes you sleepy, DO NOT EAT HEAVY MEALS!
I'm usually in a rush so i dont have time to sit down and hog out. Keep a case of SlimFast in your fridge. It will hold you til you do stop for your 10 hour break.

And when you stop for your 10, GO TO SLEEP! You can trash around when you wake up (if you still have some of your 10 to go)

 

I have found that the definition of the word 'fatigue' is different for everyone. I get 'fatigued' regularly, but it is more boredom than needing to stop to rest. This is remedied by changing the radio station, chewing gum, stretching my arms and legs (yes, I can safely do this while driving), or any one of the many ways I have found to stimulate my brain and get the cobwebs out.

When I get a little sleepy, I will pull over and take the dog out, stop at a truck stop and look in the store, make a sandwich and eat it while stopped or start singing along with the radio( I find the 80's channel on Sirius to be really helpful because I know all of the songs, so I'll find myself singing along, but I hate most of the music of the 80's so I get mad that I'm singing along with a song I hate. Really effective at waking you up). This state is still related to being bored or not stimulated, but usually happens a little later in my shift so there is a little actual fatigue starting to creep in.

The critical point is when I actually become fatigued and need to pull over. You will learn your 'signs' and you would be smart to listen to them. I know I need to pull over when one of the following happens:

- I can't read the road signs easily (eyes are losing focus)
- The lanes seem to have gotten narrower and I have trouble keeping the truck solidly in between the lines
- Looking through the windshield is like looking through water

When I experience any of these -- especially the last one -- I immediately find someplace to pull over and get some sleep. Sometimes, I only need a power nap and am good to go, but usually a couple of hours will do it. If I'm running close on a delivery, I don't care if stopping will make me late. I always do my best to get the freight from the shipper to the receiver safely and on time. However, it's just freight and not worth my life. If I have to choose between getting it there safely or on time, I choose safely. I have told my dispatcher many times that all parties involved would rather have the freight delivered a little late, than to salvage it out of a ditch somewhere.

As others have said, you will build up your stamina as you go and you will also get to know yourself and your 'signs'. We all have times that it is tough to drive no matter how rested -- previous co-driver couldn't get past 3 am no matter how long he'd been driving or how well rested he was. Had to stop somewhere around 3 am until the sky got light then he was fine. I, on the other hand, have trouble between 5 and 7 pm. Have to stop and get a break around that time -- too sleepy to drive, but not sleepy enough to go to sleep. Listen to your body and learn to recognize the signs of fatigue. And don't ever let anyone make you feel you have to drive if you don't feel safe. It's your health and safety -- you need to protect it. Good luck out there.

 

My husband takes 15 minute power naps when needed. Pulls into a rest area to take them. I serve him regular protein based meals (excess carbs can make you tired) and he drinks plenty of water. We drink one cup of coffee in the morning, and no other caffeine or energy type drinks. I agree....learn your signs of fatigue and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! We passed a really bad accident last month, entire family killed when the father fell asleep at the wheel. I read the article later, he was trying to do an all night, straight through drive to a family reunion. Rest stops are there for a reason! Use them! Best wishes for your career in trucking!