Night driving issues, sleepiness

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Anthony28, Apr 13, 2020.

  1. Anthony28

    Anthony28 Bobtail Member

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    Are you usually driving at night? Does it cause difficulties you too (sleepiness, hard to focus on)?

    There is something which I could buy to overcome this? or what are the best practices you found useful?

    Thanks in advance :)
     
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  3. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    Yeah, sleep during the day, drive at night, then reverse as needed. That’s trucking. It’s the hardest part of the job. Literally during any given week you could have to transition from dayshift to graveyard shift and then back. Yes after driving dayshift it’s hard to stop at 7 AM in the morning and fall asleep. Usually what ends up happening if you don’t sleep, then you drive a second graveyard shift and become super tired and the second morning you’ll sleep well. But then right when you get into that rhythm you’ve got to go back to a regular day shift schedule. LOL learning to sleep at all different hours and times and places is one of the toughest aspects of trucking....Learn how to cope, or find another career is my advise.
     
  4. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I flip a dome light on for a minute or 2, or jump off on an exit ramp with immediate re-entry. Chewing gum or snuff helps too lol
     
  5. bavarian

    bavarian Heavy Load Member

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    For about 10 years now, I'm driving at daytime only.
    I'm a morning person. You could find on the road by 4 in the morning. But I sleep every night. No BS shifting between day and night driving.
    Just don't do it and stand your point. Even dispatchers learn.
     
  6. Hazmat Cat

    Hazmat Cat Medium Load Member

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    pills at the truck stop register.
     
  7. Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

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    Good music or audio books help. Crank the window down to let some fresh air in.
     
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  8. Ffx95

    Ffx95 Road Train Member

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    When I started out I did have issues driving at night. The more you do it the easier it gets. Shut the curtains and get some sleep during the day and drive at night. Sleep meds make it easier but don’t depend on them all the time use it to get the sleep schedule going.
     
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  9. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    What company do you work for? Most OTR drivers deliver at all hours and When your hours are reset they run you to where you have to take consecutive 10 hour breaks and start driving immediately. Which of course means you’re going to end up working graveyards some days.
     
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  10. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    nearly all my years (save for maybe 3) were night time driving. i had to sleep during the day, sometimes take a nap as well before going to work. nothing you can buy, no miracle drug, so stay away form such crap.

    buy a cup of coffee, and sip it many times through the night. stay away from such drinks as Red Bull or Jolt (if Jolt is still sold), they pick you up, then you crash (your body).

    get out once in a while, walk around your rig, get some fresh air, get back in and drive.
     
  11. Hazmat Cat

    Hazmat Cat Medium Load Member

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    Jolt haha been awhile since I’ve seen that
     
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