Road Transport
Tips
Keep your eyes open for signs of fatigue
In recent years, our fast-paced society has resulted in over-worked people, trying desperately to stay ahead of the game. It's nothing new to the trucking industry. Unfortunately, most people end up getting less sleep than they need, which can lead to chronic fatigue.
No one needs to tell you how important your alertness is to you behind the wheel. Even if you think you're getting enough sleep, you may not be getting the deep sleep that your mind and body need. So how do you know if you're battling fatigue? Check for the following symptoms.
- Difficulty keeping your eyes in focus
- Frequent yawning
- Loss of concentration and wandering thoughts
- Reduced awareness of surroundings -- apparent sudden appearance of other vehicles behind or in front of the truck
- Memory lapses
- Failure to check rear view mirrors as frequently as normal
- Unconscious variations in speed
- Erratic shifting
- Driving too slow or too fast
- Drifting out of the lane
- Missing a turn-off
If you have any one of them, get off the road and rest. Even a 20 minute nap can effectively improve alertness and productivity. (Just remember to wait 15 minutes after waking from a nap to clear away the grogginess.)
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