In the high-stakes world of trucking, the looming threat of serious accident litigation is a constant reality for many companies. When such situations arise, it’s crucial for owners and executives to understand that the future of their company may be at stake. This was a key takeaway from the recent address by Rob Moseley, a
Why Trucking Companies Should Put the Brakes on Drowsy Drivers
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You’ve probably heard the saying, “not all heroes wear capes.” It’s true. Some of them drive big rigs down busy interstates. Truck drivers deliver the products our economy needs to function. We can thank them for stocked grocery store shelves and quick online deliveries.
But this puts enormous pressure on them. Truck drivers work to hit critical quotas and deadlines. These conditions can stretch them to their limits – leading to hours of driving while they’re fatigued and drowsy.
On average, long-haul truck drivers sleep fewer than five hours per night. It’s a serious risk to themselves and others. In fact, it can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Drowsy driving can cause:
- Difficulty concentrating, sometimes referred to as “road haze”
- Trouble keeping eyes open or frequent blinking
- Drifting from lanes or driving too close to others
- Missing traffic signs or exits
Ultimately, it leads to accidents on the road.
In September, a semi-truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a toll booth, according to Florida Highway Patrol. A toll booth attendant was seriously hurt.
A few weeks later, a truck driver fell asleep and crashed into two other trucks, according to troopers in Wyoming. Witnesses say he veered into oncoming lanes several times before the crash.
Nobody died in these instances, but that’s not always the case. Tired truck drivers have been found to cause 1,500 deadly crashes per year.
Why aren’t drivers sleeping?
Preventing driver fatigue isn’t as simple as telling drivers to go to bed. There are several factors pushing them to the limit.
- Impending deadlines have big money on the line. Drivers may push themselves beyond what is safe to meet those deadlines and earn the reward.
- Many trucking companies pay by the mile. That means drivers lose money every minute they aren’t on the road – such as when they’re sleeping.
- Labor shortages are putting more pressure on drivers. The truck driving industry is about 80,000 drivers short right now. That means more deliveries and hours per driver.
How can trucking companies tackle drowsy driving?
Trucking companies can begin tackling drowsy driving by recognizing the dangers it poses to truck drivers, other motorists, and your company’s health.
Recognize the fiscal risk: Deadly accidents caused by fatigued driving often result in verdicts that cost trucking companies millions of dollars.
Follow the law: The FMCSA has mandated hour limits for truck drivers:
- They can drive a maximum of 11 hours during a 14-hour shift.
- They must go off-duty for 10 hours before resuming.
Optimize your productivity: We always prefer a job to get done as soon as possible. However, there may be other options to optimize productivity rather than expecting too much of your drivers.
Reach out to a qualified law firm: Our firm can ensure your policies align with federal law and even design company mandates to protect your drivers and your company.Ready to stop driver fatigue? Contact us today.
