6 Tips to Help Truck Drivers Stay Awake on Long Journeys

Heavy loads, unfamiliar roads, poor weather conditions – truck drivers face some challenging work conditions. Although commercial truckers tend to have more experience behind the wheel than other motorists, they are not immune to accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 342,000 trucks were involved in crashes in 2013, leading to 95,000 serious injuries and 3,964 deaths.

Although there are countless factors that contribute to these wrecks, driver errors cause the vast majority of them. Truckers are prone to fatigue and distractions, and a moment’s inattention is all it takes to cause a serious collision.

If you were injured by a negligent driver in Texas, contact a Dallas truck accident attorney from the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical bills, and non-economic damages.

1. Eric Cooper is a personal-injury lawyer with the knowledge, resources, and litigation experience to help you fight for the maximum payout. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation.

How Can Truck Drivers Stay Alert on Long Trips?

The Hours of Service Regulations limit the amount of time a commercial trucker can sit behind the wheel. They were enacted to reduce the number of fatigue-related truck accidents. However, the HOS Regulations still allow truckers to be on the road for 11 hours, which is more than enough time to become drowsy. Let’s take a look at six effective strategies to help truckers stay alert behind the wheel:

1. Get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night, as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation;
2. Maintain a healthy diet – overeating or consuming greasy foods can cause fatigue;
3. Take vitamins to stabilize your energy levels;
4. If you start to feel drowsy, find a safe place to pull over and rest;
5. Do not rely on loud music or rolling the wind down to keep you awake; and
6. Snack regularly on nuts and jerky – small, consistent doses of protein and salt may help you fight off fatigue.

What Are the Signs of Fatigue while Driving?

Whether you drive a commercial truck or a passenger vehicle, it is important that you know how to spot the signs of fatigue. Pull over to a safe place and rest if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Nodding your head;
• Slower reaction time;
• Irritability;
• Daydreaming;
• Yawning; or
• Heavy eyes.

Motorists should also be able to identify drowsy drivers and keep their distance. The signs of fatigue are similar to those of intoxication and include:

• Swerving;
• Drifting onto the shoulder;
• Almost hitting the curb or an object in the road;
• Using the wrong turn signal;
• Driving much slower than the speed limit; or
• Stopping far before or after a stop line.

If you were injured by a truck driver who was drowsy, drunk, or otherwise negligent, turn to the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a personal-injury lawyer in Dallas.