Combatting fatigue and staying alert whilst driving
DRIVERS
Even though winter solstice has come and gone and daylight hours are slowly increasing, the long nights of winter can make it difficult for drivers to combat tiredness in order to stay alert on the road. Experienced drivers must rely on years of learned tips and tricks to ensure their own safety and the safety of others whilst out on the road.
Although a driver may encounter numerous hazards on the job, fighting tiredness whilst staying attentive on increasingly busy roads is a chief concern facing drivers, especially during winter months.
According to Bob Beech, driver and truck journalist, “The biggest single concern from the perspective of a driver is the sheer volume of traffic on UK roads, combined with the lack of patience shown by a growing number of drivers of vehicles of all sizes.” These crowded conditions mean that any small slip-up can be magnified and create a potentially dangerous or life-threatening situation.
Night driving and sleep management.
Jenny Tipping, driver at Manpower Logistics, adds that for her, the dangers associated with night driving mean she must keep constant vigilance. “As I work nights the biggest challenge for me is the danger of falling asleep at the wheel. Sleep management is a hot topic of conversation among night truckers as the driving can be monotonous and it is unnatural to be awake at night. We have all found our own way to manage it,” she said.
Such management techniques for Jenny include eating healthily and exercising during the day, maintaining a schedule, refraining from consuming carb-heavy meals before a long drive and taking a power nap, if necessary.
Advice from the FTA.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) states that feeling tired while driving can affect a driver's ability to concentrate on the road ahead and impair responsive reactions to road hazards. Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel are conscious of feeling sleepy and continue to 'fight' sleep for some time before an incident.
According to Eamonn Brennan, FTA Van Information Manager, “Driver fatigue is a significant risk and should always be taken seriously… Drivers must take personal responsibility for their own health and ensure they only set off on a journey when they are well-rested… The best way to fight fatigue is to listen to your body, stop and take an appropriate break.”
In addition to Eamonn’s suggestions, the FTA offers the following advice to combat driver fatigue:
- Try to ensure you are well rested and feeling fit and healthy before starting the journey
- Plan the journey to include regular rest breaks (at least 15 minutes every two hours)
- If necessary, plan an overnight stop
- Avoid setting out on a long drive after working a full day
- If feeling sleepy during a journey, stop somewhere safe, take drinks containing caffeine and try to take a short nap
On the horizon.
To further enhance driver safety, Mercedes-Benz has been testing the use of Daylight+, a technology that simulates actual daylight in the cab. During Finland’s polar nights, eight Daimler test drivers took part in a simulation of two typical working weeks for a driver. The test drivers alternated between driving with conventional lighting and with biologically effective lighting illuminated strategically throughout the day.
At the end of the study, the drivers who were exposed to Daylight+ were more alert and performed better overall with fewer erroneous reactions. Moreover, the drivers reported feeling better, were less tired and felt the cab appeared more spacious.
The results were promising enough to warrant future trials.
What are your best tips to fight tiredness and stay alert?
Thank you to the FTA for assisting with content for this article.
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2 comments
Gruß vom Schwobatrucker
Dieter
Gruß vom Schwobatrucker
Dieter