The Dangers, the Warning Signs, and How to Protect Yourself and Others

Just east of Dallas, Texas, in the middle of the afternoon a few days before the Fourth of July, an 18-wheeler smashes into the back of a Ford F-150 on the interstate, killing all five people inside. The crash drew national attention and resulted in the National Transportation Safety Board opening a federal investigation examining how much driver fatigue contributed to the collision after it was revealed that the driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.

The Facts Behind Truck Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a long-running issue, especially among CDL truck drivers. In fact, the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) cites fatigue as a major contributor to truck crashes, and a 2022 survey by the Truck Safety Coalition found that:

  • 65% of truck drivers reported that they often or sometimes felt drowsy while driving
  • 47.6% of truck drivers said they had fallen asleep while driving in the previous year

According to the CDC, after 17 consecutive hours awake, impairment is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05. After 24 hours awake, impairment is equivalent to a BAC of .10.

The Warning Signs of Driver Fatigue

So what are the signs that a driver might be suffering for fatigue? They can vary, and the more knowledge you have about the potential symptoms, the more likely it is that you can recognize the signs in yourself before it’s too late.

The Canada Safety Training Centre lists several different physical, mental, and behavioral warning signs:

 Physical

  • Reduced alertness, including slowed reaction times, reduced ability to focus on the road, and impaired decision-making
  • Excessive yawning and blinking to increase oxygen intake and combat tiredness
  • Sluggishness and heavy-lidded eyes, eyes struggling to stay open and maintain focus on the road
  • Changes in posture and body movements, including slumping or slouch in your seat or increased fidgeting and restlessness
  • Headaches and dizziness resulting from the strain of prolonged driving without adequate rest
  • “Microsleep” episodes, which are brief episodes of unintended sleep lasting for a few seconds
  • Trembling hands and slowed reflexes due to decreased nervous system responsiveness and coordination

Mental

  • Impaired concentration and focus, difficulty maintaining attention on the road and process information
  • Slowed reaction times, like delayed responses to traffic signals, road signs, and unexpected events
  • Increased irritability due to mental exhaustion, paired with mood swings and emotional instability
  • Daydreaming and zoning out, mentally disengaging from driving
  • Difficulty remembering recent road events, like recent turns, landmarks, and traffic conditions
  • Impaired decision-making and judgment with an increased likelihood of making questionable or risky choices
  • Reduced coordination, including impaired hand-eye coordination and difficulty maintaining a smooth and steady trajectory

Behavioral

  • Inconsistent driving speed, including sudden accelerations and decelerations
  • Missing or delayed responses to traffic lights, road signs, exit ramps, and directional indicators
  • Overreliance on automated driving features like cruise control
  • Excessive braking
  • Unsteady steering, erratic movements and overcorrections, and drifting between lanes
  • Impaired ability to judge distance, including when following other vehicles

How to Protect Yourself and Others from Driver Fatigue

Knowing what driver fatigue is and what the signs are is one thing. Preventing it is another. Both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Traffic Safety Coalition have a number of different tips to help keep you safe:

  • Comply with the Federal Hours of Service (HOS) – This is a regulation that dictates the maximum amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty and specifies number and length of rest periods. Whether you’re an independent owner-operator or driving for a fleet, the HOS is your friend.
  • Prioritize sleep, both in quality and quantity – Many Americans don’t get the recommended 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. As a truck driver, this is something you can’t skip. Ensure that, even when you’re on the road, you have a quiet, dark environment by using things like blackout curtains, earplugs, and white noise machines. The FMCSA also recommends avoiding driving between the hours of 12-6 AM and 2-4 PM, as these are times when your body is naturally more drowsy.
  • Utilize breaks and rest stops – As much as you can, plan your route to incorporate regular breaks so you can get out of the cab, stretch, breathe some fresh air, etc. Even five or ten minutes can make a big difference as far as focus, stress, and physical strain.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle – Unhealthy foods and lack of exercise feed into a host of different health problems, including contributing to poorer sleep and reduced energy. Heavy meals, especially with a lot of carbs, can induce drowsiness and sluggishness. Instead, make sure to eat light and prioritize protein and stay hydrated. Also, physical activity can boost energy levels and improve blood circulation, thereby keeping you more alert.
  • Proceed carefully when it comes to using “tricks” for maintaining wakefulness – You can’t just “cup of coffee” your way through a long haul. Excessive caffeine intake can cause its own issues, like headaches and insomnia, as can other stimulants like nicotine. Blasting the radio or rolling the window down might help you get a temporary boost, but they’re not long-lasting solutions.
  • Don’t ignore the warning signs – If you start exhibiting symptoms like we listed above, don’t try to knuckle down and push through it. That could spell disaster for you and others on the road. If you find yourself yawning, drifting lanes, taking microsleeps, and so on, you need to pull over. A short power nap – the FMCSA recommends at least 10 minutes and no more than 45 – has been proven more effective at boosting energy levels than coffee. Even better: factor power naps into your schedule as they often work better when you’re not already sleepy.

Stay Ready on the Road

Every truck driver trained at ASCTI graduates with an understanding of the responsibility that comes with a CDL. When you get behind the wheel of a tractor trailer, you owe not only yourself but also all the other vehicles on the road to drive safely and effectively. That starts with knowing the facts about driver fatigue and the steps you can take to help prevent it.

Ready to Start Your CDL Journey?

Whether you’re new to trucking or looking to upgrade your career, ASCTI in El Paso, TX, offers hands-on, expert-led CDL training that puts safety first. Call us today or get started online.