Managing fatigue as a linehaul driver

Be VERY aware when that happens. You can be very tired to the point where you should park it but still not feel sleepy or drowsy. Tired (aka fatigued) and sleepy are related but different things and both just as dangerous. Where all the fatigue stuff comes in here these past few years is from a ton of research that found that veteran divers have trained themselves about staying mentally alert (not sleepy or drowsy) for years, to the point we will usually be physically fatigued (slowed reflexes, diminishing muscle strength, vision and coordination) a good bit before we actually feel sleepy. You can feel sleepy and not be fatigued also. That is the "circadian rhythm" you hear about and when I mentioned "the sleepies", that's where that comes from. It's the circadian rhythm kicking at me. That's why that pre-dawn time after pulling an all nighter is so critical. Fatigue after an almost full shift is starting AND the circadian rhythm are both working at the same time. The sleepies pass fairly quickly for me, and as much as I hate the new HOS regs, that stupid 30 minute break which is usually useless to me, is about all it takes to cure the sleepies for me if I actually get out of the truck and do something a little more physical than just driving. If I can I try and time that mandatory break for "sleepy time". Tired (fatigue) well, the only cure for that IS a good sleep.

Thank you so much for pointing that out. You are 100% spot on. Other early warning signs for me are my vision gets a tad poorer. Signs I can read well at a certain distance at the beginning of my shift get progressively harder to read until they get closer as fatigue starts to show. Catching my foot getting in and out of the cab or on a curb or sidewalk a few times is another as is feeling like I'm walking a little funny like on rougher ground, even though the surface is smooth concrete. Kinda like high-stepping when you first get the new prescription for your new glasses. Folks that wear glasses know what I mean. It takes a couple days to get used to the new prescription and you kick stairs and walk a little funny while your eyes are getting used to the new glasses. Same thing with fatigue. The foot catching and curb kicking and feeling like the ground or stairs are different than you know they are is vision related and a sign of fatigue for me. Then the missing and gear buzzing. That's when I know "The Bear" (that's our knick name for it in my parts) is lurking and I need to do something about it pretty soon. If I get to shifting like a student then I know it's time to modify the trip plan and go to ground. Excellent point you made there about recognizing the physical signs of fatigue and doing something about them before it gets to the point of feeling sleepy too. When both are on you at the same time you are in deep doo-doo and a real danger yourself and others.

Last point I'll make to the new folks then I'll leave y'all alone: Please don't think fighting though all the things we talk about here and in other posts about bad weather, mountain driving, etc. and getting that load there for on time delivery (OTD) will make you a hero to your DM or win you all kinds of kudos, accolades, favors, respect and preference on a planner's board. Honestly, after all these years I really believe they don't really care WHAT you went through. It's just another OTD to them. Don't get me wrong. Everyone wants OTD and it is what we strive for; but not at the cost of an accident. Real talk here; you can reschedule an appointment but you can't un-injure someone or un-damage property. Are they gonna like rescheduling? Nope. Not a bit. They might even grumble or growl a little. They are gonna raise a helluva fuss if you have an accident though and imagine living with having caused a serious accident or worse; a fatality, when YOU knew you shoulda stopped the trip and had them reschedule or repower. The electronic babysitter (e-log) doesn't know anything. It's a machine. Just because it says you have such-and-such hours you can run; that doesn't mean you SHOULD run them. Like a speed limit sign. It's just a piece of metal. Just because it says you can run that speed, that doesn't mean you should or you have to. You have the brain, you have to use it and your judgment and know your limits. If you want to be a hero and be known in the office as that "go to, can do" driver; do it as a re-power hero. Be that driver they can count on to help a fellow driver and the company and take the re-power loads without any fuss or hesitation. That they DO remember. I have yet to take a re-power with that "sure, no problem, where ya need me" attitude even though I lost some miles that I didn't get an even better run after it with a "here ya go, 'preciate your help on the re-power". Response: a simple: "No problem. Any time." What goes around comes around in that area for sure. Even if it's just that it's hard to fuss at a driver needing a re-power if he's taking re-power loads whenever you ask him to.

Sermon over. Night all. I guess I should say day all. It's dawn but that's my "good night" for a while. Time for dinner and bed for me. Be safe y'all.

 

Excellent post, Aminal!

 

I have found out that a blood sugar drop can cause drowsyness. The Planters NUTrition single serving packs are great to help. Crunchy and heart healthy they are a great snack. The Sam's Club multi pack is a great money saver. I also like Premier Protein individual serving protein shakes. Only 160 cals and 30 grams protein. They also give me a nice lift on long night runs.

Also l had heard that drowsyness can be a sign of being near dehydration. I like to fill my Love's mug with free ice water and free lemon crystals when l am at a Love's. It is very refreshing.