Driver fatigue doesn’t get as much attention as drunk driving, but it can be just as deadly, nearly 1 in every 3 Americans report having fallen asleep at the wheel.

Driver fatigue takes the blame for as many as 240,000 motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. annually.

- US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

Research suggests that fatigue and lack of sleep is the number one cause of heavy truck crashes, a greater danger than either alcohol or drugs.

- National Transportation Safety Board 

More than 1,500 deaths each year are related to drowsy drivers.

 - American Medical Association 

Many drivers feel pressured to drive as many miles as possible in as short a time as possible in order to survive economically, causing them to falsify their log books.

- National Transportation Safety Board 

Sleep related accidents cost American government and business an estimated $46 billion each year.

- National Commission on Sleep Disorders and Research 

A National Transportation Safety Board study found that fatigue may be a factor in 30-40% of truck crashes.  

• Maintain good physical condition and exercise regularly.

Danger signals for tired drivers: 

* You can't stop yawning.

* You have missed your exit.

* Not sure of where you are.

* Your speed becomes variable.

* You keep drifting out of your lane.

* You almost went through the red light.

* You didn't see the speed zone change.

* You have trouble keeping your head up.

* You have wandering, disconnected thoughts.

* You don't remember driving the last few miles.

* Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves. 

 

 

If you have even one of these symptoms, you may be in danger of falling asleep.

• Find a truck stop, or a safe place to pull your rig over, and take a nap, be prepared to take a 15 to 30 min. nap if you experience signs of fatigue.  If you sleep any longer you may be more groggy.   

• If you drive solo, play the radio, chew gum, talk to other drivers on the CB, or  open the window. 

• If you drive team, talk to your co-driver if he or she is awake. 

• Schedule a break every 2 hrs, or every 100 miles.  Get out and stretch, safety check your rig, and get some exercise before getting back into the cab. 

• Don't drive with interior light on, it strains your eyes and distorts your vision. 

• Avoid medications that increase sleepiness.  Doctors can now prescribe effective allergy medications that don't cause drowsiness. 

• The important thing is to KEEP YOUR EYES MOVING. always SCAN the road ahead looking to get the full picture, check your mirrors and gauge's.