What are the best ways to ensure you don't get in accidents

I'm just a newbie well over halfway to my goal of being a million miler. What do I know?

For those that have fear of flipping schedules there are some facts about sleep that I studied as part of my psychology degree that might help set your mind at ease:

Sleep has four phases, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) or dreaming.

The four phases of sleep cycle every 90 minutes. If you sleep for six hours you go through four phases, including four phases of dreaming.

Sleep is on a biorhythm. If you are getting sleepy, then get in bed NOW, turn off the lights, and "catch" that phase of sleep. If you miss that phase, like wanting to finish a movie for example, you will end up tossing and turning and can't sleep until the next 90 minute phase arrives.

Based on these facts I frequently take a 2 hour break if I am getting sleepy. This allows time to catch a full phase of sleep and I wake up very refreshed and alert.

Another more recent development in sleep research is the myth that you need 8 solid hours of sleep. Before the advent of electric lights and the industrial age people referred to TWO sleeps in a night. They would wake up in the middle of the night for an hour or two (90 minute cycle) and then go back to sleep until dawn.

Use the facts about sleep to your advantage to stay safe and on schedule. Never try to drive if you are fighting sleep. Pull over, park it, and TCB.

 

I'm assuming that you're younger than I am. When you get to be my age you'll likely change your ways. I used to try to run hard on less sleep, but it just isn't worth it. I just, don't do well with day sleeping. And in today's trucking world there's never enough miles to make that risk for me worth it. I turn those loads down whenever they try to give them to me, no blowback...they just, give me a different load which is usually better than the one I refused. Some people like running at night, too. Just, doesn't fit me.

 

I'm sixty. I spent a few decades doing international trade, dealing with jet lag. One thing I do in order to ensure good sleep is eat a healthy diet. I started a thread a few years ago, Sugar: The Bitter Truth. I chronicled the start of my path to health. In addition to dropping 45 lbs in six months, I dropped my blood pressure, eliminated my prediabetic condition, and the last time I got sick was in January of 2013. I sleep far better and wake up more refreshed than I did when I was addicted to sugar.

 

Pay attention, take your time, give yourself a little more room in your setup.

 

I skipped ahead so this may be a repeat.

For the physics of the question remember that Force equals 1/2 mass times the velocity squared. Which means your speed is the most critical factor in everything you do. Never drive on the edge of your abilities. Slow down to a pace that is more boring then hair raising excitement. Never forget you are not driving a car but are pulling a 53 foot whale behind you. The trailer will try to get where you are going before you if you are not careful.

As a pilot we are taught that the first thing to do in an emergency is fly the plane. As truckers the same thing applies. Always, always drive the truck. It doesn't back into the dock at random, it goes where you tell it to go.

As to heights. Your truck and trailer will fit under a bridge that says 13 foot 6 inches. It will not fit under a 13 foot 5 inch bridge. That does not apply in New York City.

If you are new in an area, look around. Trees can give you a clue. If you notice the branches on the trees appear to have a box cut out of them over the road, then trucks have used that route before. If you are hitting a bunch of fresh limbs, you are on the wrong road. Stop.

When you pull into a truckstop, do not take the closest parking spot if there is a wide open area further on. Make it easy on yourself. Avoid possible problems by picking safer parking.

But as pointed out, you will have an accident at some point. My worst was while parked at the Flying Jay in Denver. I was asleep in my bunk when a car hauler took out the front of my cab. Everyone except my father knew it was not my fault and nothing I could do would have prevented it. Dad pointed out I should have parked elsewhere. So, my advice, when an accident is coming, be elsewhere.

 

Well said, scottlav46, very well said.

 

Mindfulness

 

Drive with your head, not with your heart.

 

Dads... They can provide interesting insights.

Thanks for sharing the rest of the info in your reply too... Very helpful.

 

Interesting... Never thought about "missing" a sleep cycle... Must be what's behind "catching your second breath"... All we did was miss a cycle... Thanks for sharing.