I keep getting drowsy

Something that always helped me out was a nature valley granola bar. Anytime I felt a bit tired those things pick you right up. The cold air helped, for some reason live music rather than studio recorded, and audiobooks or programs that make you think. Murder mysteries and the like. Graphic Audio is great for that with their superb voice acting and sound effects. Of course all the advice that came before me can very well apply as well!

 

I dispatch ever tells you,"If you stop you will be fired!" Ask him to send you that in a Qual-com message or a text message to your phone. Most will change their tune real quick. Drivers need to remember they are the ones with a CDL not the under-educated dispatchers. When I am tired I will stop,if the load is going to be running late let dispatch know. Of course the co.I work for doesn't push us like that. They don't want a tanker turned over on the shoulder and a really supportive of their drivers.

 

That's no joke! Turkey meat is just like sleeping pills.

 

What makes me sleepy is driving at night. I avoid driving at night in the interest of safety.

Turn the heat down, direct the vents to blow cold air on your face. Don't keep the cab all comfy cozy warm. And blast dubstep tunes. Yeah, dubstep. Use the cruise while listening to dubstep...

 

I was local a few years before I came back OTR. It's the mental fatigue. My local was pretty labor intensive, but after 600 miles with a couple decent sized cities thrown in, I'm usually pretty wiped out.

 

Somehow find the time to get some exercise. It will help you get better more restful sleep.

I get tired also. Change it up, blast some rock, or whatever you like. Listen to talk radio that is interesting.

Get sirius orXM and record the comedy channels, or download the like to listen to.

Change you seat position. Raise it, lower it. Move the back. If youare on the highway with the cruise on then do some sitting leg lift type exercises, etc... Get your blood flowing!

Mikeeee

 

The one thing I see that has not been posted here is a typical bad driving habit.

Before you got your CDL. Did you ever drive long distances then pull over and fall asleep behind the steering wheel for a short nap? This is a major nono!!!!

If you ever feel sleepy in a vehicle get out of the drivers seat! Taking those naps in your personal vehicle only encourages the brain that it is ok to feel tired when driving. STOP!

 

I had a dodge caliber (car) that every single day I was driving home and felt so sleepy that I could not stay awake.
I thought it was a medical issue, however I am starting to think since i got a new car and have not felt this way for a while (knock on wood) that it was my car. I don't believe it had a leak but I never tested it (had to many other issue's).
It could be you need to see a doctor. I hear if you lack iron it will make you feel that way and some other minor issue's that are fixable by pills that you can drive a truck and take... I would say after several different trucks, it's you not the truck. If the company does not stay on top of their equipment, I would say it's possible to be the truck. Have the truck tested first! I know my dodge did not have a smell, noise or anything to do with the exhaust. If it's fumes, you and your partner are in danger!

 

Drink water not soda. It will help stay away from 5 hour energy drinks won't help u. Over loading ur system with vitems are not a good think.