Fighting Fatigue from Driving
With the increased work, often comes increased fatigue. Here are some common signs of fatigue and tips for getting rid of it.
Trucking is a rewarding career for many people. An unfortunate fact about doing all of that driving for hours on end is that it is also exhausting. Especially during these times when stores are struggling to keep certain items in-stock and people are shipping everything instead of going to stores, truckers are more important than ever. With the increased work, often comes increased fatigue. Here are some common signs of fatigue and tips for getting rid of it.
Some Symptoms
When you feel tired, you’ll know it. You’ll be yawning, and you won’t be able to keep your eyes open. Since you can’t drive when you can’t see, this is already a bad sign. Not being able to keep your head up or not remembering the last five miles you just traveled are also warning signs that you’ve been falling asleep or you are so exhausted you can’t pay attention to what is going on around you. Your speed will be erratic, and you won’t be able to control your vehicle, no matter how fast you’re going. Stiffness is another common symptom.
A feeling of indifference or anger may also wash over you. However, when this happens, you may be more prone to becoming so angry that your temper turns into road rage. If this happens, then you are a hazard to everyone around you, including yourself. Your best bet is to find somewhere safe to pull over until you calm down. Find somewhere to stay the night and get some rest. You’ll be able to drive better when you are feeling more refreshed.
Overcoming Fatigue
The best way to feel better is to get better quality sleep. You think you may be able to solve it by using energy drinks, caffeine pills, or soda, but those are unhealthy and will only give you a short term boost, followed by a crash that can do more harm than good when you’re behind the wheel. Driving for more than ten hours is also inadvisable since you’ll need a break. After sitting for so long, your muscles will seize up, and your blood circulation will slow down, which will make you feel even worse. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to stop and take a nap for about thirty minutes. This can give you the energy you need to get to where you’re going.
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