Truck drivers play a critical role in the economy by transporting goods across the country. However, the job comes with long hours and tight delivery schedules which can lead to driver fatigue. Fatigued truck drivers are a major factor in truck accidents. Understanding the causes and effects of truck driver fatigue can help prevent these dangerous crashes.
Causes of Driver Fatigue
There are several factors that contribute to truck driver fatigue:
- Long Hours – The hours of service regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving time within a 14 hour period, after which they must rest for 10 hours. However, these limits are still long shifts behind the wheel day after day.
- Irregular Schedules – Truckers often work irregular shifts which disrupts the natural circadian rhythms, making it difficult to sleep. Switching between day and night shifts is especially fatiguing.
- Time Pressures – Trucking companies and shippers often pressure drivers to meet tight delivery windows, forcing them to drive longer than they may feel safe doing.
- Inadequate Rest – Truckers may not be able to find safe, quiet places to sleep in or near their truck. Rest areas are often overcrowded and noisy.
- Poor Diet – Truckers tend to have poor diets with lack of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A vitamin and nutrient deficient diet contributes to fatigue.
- Limited Exercise – Truckers get very little physical activity besides walking around parking lots. Lack of exercise causes fatigue.
- Undiagnosed Sleep Disorders – Conditions like sleep apnea are common among truck drivers and a major cause of unrestful sleep and daytime drowsiness.
- Use of Sedating Medications – Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs truckers use can induce drowsiness as a side effect.
Effects of Fatigue on Truck Driver Performance
Fatigued truck drivers experience both physical and mental impairment that impacts their ability to drive safely. Drowsy driving greatly increases the risk of an accident. Here are some of the effects of fatigue:
- Slower Reaction Times – Fatigued drivers have delayed responses to road hazards and traffic conditions. They are slower to brake or take evasive maneuvers.
- Difficulty Focusing – Tired truckers experience eyesight issues like blurred vision. They also have difficulty keeping their eyes open and focusing on the road.
- Reduced Alertness – Drowsy truck drivers may experience frequent blinking, heavy eyelids, nodding off, and disconnected gazes. Their bodies crave sleep, making it very difficult to stay alert.
- Lapses in Judgement – Fatigued driving impairs thinking skills and judgement. Truckers may make dangerous maneuvers and risky driving decisions when tired.
- Increased Distraction – Sleep deprived truckers are more easily distracted. Activities like talking, eating, or adjusting the radio take focus away from safe driving.
- Degraded Vehicle Control – Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times, reduced coordination and impaired motor control. This makes it more difficult to steer and handle a large truck properly.
- Risk Taking Behavior – Overtired truckers may engage in riskier driving like speeding or tailgating to try to counteract their drowsiness. However, this greatly increases accident risk.
Consequences of Fatigue-Related Truck Crashes
Drowsy truck driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Crashes involving fatigued truck drivers often have severe consequences:
- Increased Injuries & Fatalities – Collisions involving large trucks already cause greater injuries due to size disparity. However, fatigue-related truck crashes are even more likely to result in severe injuries or deaths.
- Costly Damage – Truck crashes incur major property damage and cargo losses. Companies lose profit, while shippers deal with disrupted schedules and damaged goods. Cleanup, road repairs and emergency response also add costs.
- Regulatory Penalties – Following fatigue-related crashes, truck drivers and carriers often face regulatory citations, fines, suspensions, and increased insurance rates. Companies can even be shut down.
- Legal Liability – Victims of fatigue-related truck crashes have grounds to sue the driver and carrier for negligence. Settlements often total millions.
- Public Perception – High-profile drowsy truck driving crashes negatively impact public perception of the trucking industry. This can influence policy and regulations.
- Driver Health – Truck crashes from fatigue can cause long-term physical and psychological trauma for drivers. Financial problems often follow from lack of work.
Reducing Fatigue-Related Truck Crashes
While driver fatigue will likely always be an issue in the trucking industry, there are ways trucking companies and drivers can act to reduce fatigue and subsequent crashes:
- Address Company Pressures – Carriers should reduce pressure on drivers to violate hours of service rules or operate while exhausted. Realistic delivery schedules are key.
- Increase Rest Periods – Drivers should take regular breaks, get adequate sleep, and avoid driving during natural sleep times. Companies can help by allowing split rest periods.
- Improve Truck Sleeping Conditions – Trucking companies can install devices like bunk air ride suspensions and darkening window shades to make in-truck sleeping easier.
- Utilize Fatigue Monitoring Technology – Devices that monitor driver alertness through eye tracking, head positioning, and steering inputs can detect drowsiness and trigger warnings.
- Enhance Driver Education – Better education on managing sleep schedules, recognizing fatigue warning signs, and combating drowsiness can help drivers avoid driving while dangerously tired.
- Implement Wellness Programs – Carriers should provide resources to improve driver diets, fitness and treat undiagnosed medical conditions contributing to fatigue like sleep apnea.
- Review Work Schedules – Trucking companies can consult with fatigue scientists to design work/rest schedules that align with circadian rhythms to minimize fatigue.
- Shorten Route Distances – Shipping companies can help reduce fatigue by shortening delivery distances rather than requiring longer hauls.
- Provide Rest Facilities – Shippers, receivers and truck stops can provide safe, clean spaces for drivers to rest undisturbed during required breaks.
- Regulatory Reform – Federal agencies should continually review research to update hours of service rules and mandate technologies that address drowsy driving issues.
Driver fatigue will continue to impact the trucking industry. However, companies and truckers can work together to address the factors that commonly lead to fatigue. Public awareness and regulatory pressure are also key in pushing the industry towards a solution. Through multiple targeted interventions, the problem of fatigued truck driving can be reduced, saving lives on the road.
Because fatigue is a major cause of truck accidents, it’s vital that you speak with one of our truck accident attorneys if you are involved in one. Contact us today for advice.
Visit our office at 536 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133.
Call now for a free consultation on (415) 352-6264.