Truck drivers are prone to a number of health issues, including heart disease, carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetes. The CDC has a discussion on this. However, one of the biggest safety and health risks they face stems from being fatigued while driving.
We have talked a lot about some of the biggest risks to our health. One of the greatest health risk factors that you need to be aware of is sleep depravation and fatigue.
Last month, we talked about some of the biggest health risks that are caused by sleep problems. Some of the major health problems include increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and depression.
However, there is another serious health risk that warrants discussion. You have a higher risk of getting in an accident if you are sleep deprived, especially if you are driving or operating heavy machinery.
We covered some of the serious injuries that you can suffer from if you are involved in a car accident. The injuries can be a hundred times worse if you are in a truck accident. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure that you aren’t operating a truck while fatigued.
Get Plenty of Rest to Protect Your Health and the Safety of Everyone on the Road as a Truck Driver
Driving on the road while fatigued is undoubtedly dangerous and highly discouraged. Driver fatigue poses a huge threat to not only the driver but all individuals on the road. The prominence of fatigue in truck drivers is a prevalent issue throughout the United States. In 2021, there were 5,788 fatalities related to truck accidents, and the National Transportation Safety Board suggests that driver fatigue contributes to roughly 30-40% of all heavy truck accidents. Furthermore, truck driver fatigue should not be overlooked and should be carefully considered.
Hours of Service Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a number of laws in place to help prevent fatigued driving. These laws place stringent limits on the number of hours a truck driver is allowed to drive and how many breaks they must take. The laws mandate that truck drivers drive no more than 11 hours after being off-duty for 10 consecutive hours. Truck drivers can also not be on-duty for more than 14 consecutive hours and must take at least a 30-minute break when driving at least 8 hours. There are also several other regulations imposed by the FMCSA, as well as state-specific driving regulations that truck drivers must be aware of.
How Truck Drivers are Paid
One of the most influential factors on driver fatigue is how truck drivers are paid. As opposed to the majority of occupations that are paid on either a salaried or hourly basis, truck drivers are usually paid on a cents per mile basis. This is a huge contributing factor to driver fatigue as drivers are incentivized for driving longer periods of time in order to secure the greatest amount of mileage. Unfortunately, the pay for truck drivers is very low, at roughly 28 to 40 cents per mile, thus increasing the likelihood that drivers will max out their hours, often at the cost of sleep deprivation.
Prominence of sleep apnea
Another contributing factor of truck driver fatigue is the disproportionate prominence of sleep apnea. In a survey conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), it was found that truck drivers are more likely to be overweight, less physically active, and more likely to smoke compared to individuals in other careers. These aforementioned characteristics are, unfortunately, many of the contributing factors of those with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea impedes one’s ability to get adequate sleep, as your breathing repeatedly starts and stops. This leaves truck drivers even more tiresome than the average driver.
Additional Impacts of Long Distance Driving
As a truck driver, you must drive prolonged periods of time in order to get to your appointed destination. However, these long hours of driving can have an abundance of repercussions on not only your level of fatigue, but also your mental, physical, and emotional health. Some of these consequences include, but are not limited to:
- Obesity
- Stress
- Diabetes
- Loneliness
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Decreased alertness
- Anxiety
The Dangers of a Truck Accident
Unfortunately, with truck driver fatigue comes an increased risk of truck accidents. Truck accidents are far more dangerous and complicated than a car or motorcycle accident due to their sheer size and weight, as well as the complexity of liability. Truck accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic and even fatal injuries. If involved in a truck accident, it is advised to contact a Van Nuys truck accident attorney who can help you fight for the compensation you may be entitled to.
Practice Safe Truck Driving
As we have discussed, truck accidents can have life-altering and devastating impacts on the lives of all individuals on the road. It is important that truck drivers obey the hours of service regulations and get an adequate amount of sleep so as to not compromise the safety of themselves and others. Make sure to take breaks and pull over if you are having difficulty staying awake while driving. It is better to be safe than sorry.
