Driver Fatigue – Trucking

Commercial truck drivers are far more likely to drive fatigued than other drivers, according to the CDC.

• Long hours-

  Often times, companies will offer their drivers bonuses or premiums if they can make their deliveries faster than what is required, which causes some to ignore the federal rules and drive through the exhaustion despite the increased chances of a crash.

• Boredom-

  Some drivers have to commute on the same route day after day and this can get boring for the driver. This might also happen when the driver has to travel on long stretches of road.

• Poor Health-

  A recent study ound that truck drivers were substantially more likely to experience obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease than the general population. It’s proven that poor health and a lack of exercise can increase fatigue and exhaustion.

There are rules in place to protect truck drivers from driving fatigued set forth by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These include a reduction in the number of hours they spend behind the wheel, and requires drivers to take mandatory rest breaks during and between their shifts, including:

• • Daily limits-

    Drivers are prohibited from driving more than 11 hours in one day, and must take at least one 30-minute break from driving within the first eight hours of their shift.

  • Weekly maximum-

    Truckers are able to work a maximum of 70 hours in a single week (7 day-period).

  • Days off-

    After a trucker has completed a 70-hour workweek, he/she must rest for at least 34 hours before starting a new workweek. This mandatory resting period must include at least two periods of sleep at night, between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

All truck drivers must also maintain a daily log where they keep track of drive time, miles, and breaks.