Sleepy Driving NOT worth it!!

I had a situation a week or so ago like this. I made a beer pickup in Cartersville Ga. I had a 10 hour break just before, but it was during the day and I honestly did not get any restful sleep. I traveled US 411 to I 59 on to US 78 headed for Little Rock. I got to the new part and fell asleep at the wheel. Thankfully it lasted only a few seconds and I came back to. I pulled over and got 4 good solid hours of sleep. Yes I missed my appointment at final, but I got my load there the next morning. It still bothers me that I caused a service failure, but I rather have a service failure on my record then a fatality caused by my actions.

 

Yeah, that's what I found out about running 'regional'. It's better to run local or OTR. Or should I say safer. The co. I worked for would let you sit if you didn't do 'mission impossible'. I have fallen asleep too many times to count. Onece was disasterous, but nobody but me was injured. IT just isn't worth it.

 

I have received dispatches that have me picking up at midnight or so and driving to deliver early the next AM. I always respond the same way:

"Thank you for the load you recently sent me. However, I feel it important to state that I have been sleeping during the hours 23:00 through 05:00 for the past 46 years. You may decide to keep this load assigned to me and ultimately I will pick it up. However, I feel it is also important to say in advance that I am a creature of habit and I will most likely still be sleeping during this time frame tonight. Should I do my sleeping behind the wheel or in the sleeper berth? Please advise."

I have yet to not have the load exchanged for a load more suitable to my circadian sleep schedule. A company that cares about safety will take care of drivers that choose not to risk safety. I normally run periods between 06:00 - 22:00 so I can safely make my most important stop; home.

 

Way to go. More people need to do the same.