Tips to Reduce Fleet Driver Fatigue
28 Feb 2022A driver may be unaware of how dangerous fatigue is or how exhausted they have become, yet fatigue is unpleasant and uncomfortable. Nobody gets into, let alone stays in, that state without some sort of incentive.
Insufficient or inadequate sleep is the most evident reason for fleet driver fatigue. Other factors, on the other hand, can contribute to it.
What is Fleet Driver Fatigue?
Fleet driver fatigue is one of the most significant threats to road safety, posing many problems to both drivers and passengers. Because their vigilance and concentration are reduced, fleet drivers with driver fatigue have less time to react to incoming hazards.
Fleet driver fatigue can quickly develop over long drives, for example, when drivers take insufficient breaks to help break up the monotony. Similarly, irregular or disrupted work patterns might contribute to driving fatigue. Some medical disorders, including sleep apnea, can also make some fleet drivers more sensitive to driver fatigue.
How Does Driving Fatigue Differ from Driver Sleepiness?
Driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving while drunk.
The terms “driving fatigue” and “driver sleepiness” are not interchangeable. While sleep loss is the most common cause of driving fatigue, boredom or eye strain can also cause fatigue. Although many drivers are chronically sleep-deprived, averaging only three or four hours of sleep per night, even a well-rested driver can become fatigued.
And, while driver tiredness is often relieved by opening the window or turning on some stimulating music, driving fatigue is more difficult to overcome; just because a person no longer feels sleepy does not mean they are safe to drive.
Tips to Reduce Fleet Driver Fatigue
The foundation to ensure driving safety as part of driver fatigue management is vital to communicate. Communicate these tips to to your fleet drivers to reduce driver fatigue:
1) Know the signs.
Here are some of the signs to know that it’s time to take a break.
- Having trouble focusing, having heavy eyelids, or blinking a lot
- Daydreaming or irrational notions
- Swerving or drifting out of your lane
- Forgetting exits or having trouble recalling the previous traffic signs or stop lights
- Muscle twitching and back stiffness
2) Avoid big meals, especially in the middle of the day.
Having a heavy meal can make you feel sluggish and sleepy when traveling, so keep your meals modest. Fruit, nuts, trail mix, hard-boiled eggs, and beef/turkey jerky are all good snacks to keep you energized.
3) Take appropriate pauses or breaks.
Drivers should take a 15-minute rest every two hours of driving. Get up, stretch your legs, and move about. Take a 15 to 20-minute power sleep if it’s safe, but no more than 20 minutes. A lengthier nap could make you feel even sleepier.
How LiveView GPS Fleet Tracking Can Help With Driver Fatigue
Fleet managers will be able to watch their vehicles on a map in real-time using LiveVIew GPS fleet tracking, and they will also have access to extensive reports regarding driving behavior. They can receive real time alerts and alarms when drivers exceed specific speeds or go too long without stopping.
Also, many fatigue-related accidents can be avoided with the use of technologies, and follow these tips to reduce fatigue while driving.
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