First hour of driving most risky: Study

Finally I see something from them that really makes sense and I can go along with.. You bet the first hour is the most crucial one.. Why? well usually becuase people just woke up, have thier entire day ahead of them, that is running all threw thier mind at once, thus making them less likely to be paying attention to driving...

Now they just need to say the 34 hour restart is a good thing...

 

There is one obvious solution to this which will solve all of trucking's problems: Pass a law which makes it illegal to drive during your first hour of driving.

 

Now watch what you say they may come up with it

 

You'll also note, though, that they don't tie it necessarily to sleep inertia - they also tie it in to heavy traffic. i.e. rush hour. The obvious thing to do - law or no law, is not get behind the wheel until 09:00 when all the yahoos (well, ok, MOST of the yahoos) are safe in their cubicles..

Make your local deliveries until about 16:00, then park for an hour or two (dinner, nap, shower, etc) then crank out 4 more hours behind the wheel.

Arrange with receivers to make deliveries before 07:00 or after 18:00. If they insist on pre 09:00 or 16:00-18:00 deliveries, tack on a surcharge for higher insurance rates, because as sure as beans attract giants, the insurance companies are going to figure this out.

 

I absolutely agree that the first hour of the day is the most dangerous. Many times I have caught myself nodding off and need to pull it over and wake up again or just feeling lousy until my body wakes up.

 

I hear you on this. It is one reason that I always make it a habit to do a thorough pre-trip before moving the truck. If that isn't enough to wake me up, then a brisk walk or jog before moving those wheels. Usually have to grab that first cup of coffee anyway, and I try to stop for the night where coffee is available first thing.

I want to be sure that I am thoroughly awake before driving!

 

I would say the thing that causes most accidents is driving in a big city in the middle of the day. I always try to time Atlanta, Houston, Birmingham, etc. for the middle of the night. And when all else fails, 10 am or 2pm is a second choice.

 

problem is, the study says 'first hour of driving' - and relates that to a number of things...

Me, I tend to wake wide eyed and bushy tailed.. but then, I typically only need 5-6 hours of sleep a night anyway.

The only sensible thing to do is completely bar 4-wheelers from streets and highways when we're driving.