Switched from day to night driving: observations

At my current job there's simply no way we could do it during the day. Too many other vehicles jockeying for dock space at the hospitals, too many folks in the hallways where we deliver to get a pallet jack and a pallet through, plus they need those supplies BEFORE the day starts, not during. But honestly, I prefer it that way. Makes doing those downtown hospitals easier, fewer idiots on the road, though the drunks can be... entertaining.... I'm still not 100% acclimated to the sleep changes but I'm getting there. And the city looks alot nicer at night.

 

Takes me about 3 solid nights of running to get acclimated, I mean the third night I'm adjusted then get empty and my next load is run three day shifts go figure

 

Welcome to the dark side!

Yes, at night rest areas are a cluster fornication and fuel islands are a panacea. You have less traffic and more amenable folks on the road. The only thing you need to bear in mind is "beer thirty", around 2:30 am, when the bars have closed. Give a WIDE berth to those that Bob and weave and can't figure out if the speed limit is 35 or 75.

 

True THIS^^^

If you flip schedules don't expect to be 100%. Be ready and able to take 90-120 minute naps as necessary.

 

Regarding Red Bull**** and other "energy" drinks...

... don't.

Drink coffee, preferably black. Avoid sugar like a vampire avoids silver bullets. Drink...

... wait for it (GASP)...

WATER.

Avoid sugar. If you aren't drinking black coffee, then drink water. Eat raw fruit, like bananas, oranges, apples, or grapes. They also help hydrate you and keep your electrolytes in balance. Soda pop, "energy drinks", and other assorted horse ####" don't help you.

 

All you had to do was stop someplace safe, set you timer for 30 minutes, sit there for one minute and inhale for 4 seconds then exhale for 4 seconds, with you eyes closed and then....
Ring, ring, ring.... wipe the spit from your mouth, look around to get your bearing back, and off you go.

 

If need be I know how to do those 8/2 split breaks to flip my time around to what I need or if I'm tired that split can really help keep the 10 hour break 10 hours, rather than taking a nap during the 14 then also doing a 10 hour break later would be 10+whatever the nap was which can sometimes cause problems with tight deliveries.

 

E-logs help you learn the 8-2 split. I run paper logs now and have used it on occasion. Safety audits our logs and have asked me to explain what the heck I'm doing, and they have since asked me to explain the concept to other drivers in my terminal. Knowing the rules is to your advantage.

 

These are the nights i would love to drive at night. Beautiful cooler weather right around 70 degrees wide open roads with the windows down listening to some tunes. Just not sure how well i would sleep during the day with half the world up sirens blaring, horns honking etc.. that's the only drawback i can think of.