Long-haul delivery drivers are often faced with the difficult task of driving while sleep deprived. With long roads, low-speed limits, and multiple RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) switches, it’s easy for truck operators to feel fatigued during their operations.
Driver fatigue is one of the leading contributors to road accidents in the country. In the Philippines, trucks are one of the top vehicles that are frequently involved in traffic accidents. The medical costs and the business losses sustained due to the dip in business productivity can amount to a significant number when added altogether. So, it’s imperative that you have well-rested drivers that are alert and responsive to the road ahead.
Keep reading to learn more about some of our top tips for preventing drowsy driving.
1. Take a Break
With the strict timetables that staff must adhere to, they’re forced to drive while sleepy which can be dangerous. Tired drivers often have reduced reaction times which can lead to accidents. This is why if your operators are feeling the fatigue, they should pull over at a rest stop to take a quick break and get back in the driver’s seat refreshed.
Additionally, if drivers must pass through certain parts of Metro Manila, they can take advantage of the truck ban and find a comfortable place to wait for the ban to finish.
2. Drink Caffeine
Once your drivers start to exhibit signs of drowsiness while driving, they can purchase a soda or coffee to stay awake for the road ahead. Soda has 30-40mg of caffeine, but enough sugar to give your operators an energy kick. Whereas coffee has 80-100mg of caffeine per eight ounces.
Both options are great for a quick energy boost, but you should advise your drivers to beware of sugar or caffeine crashes which can make them groggy.
3. Chew Gum
In a clinical trial conducted by Danilo Hodoba, he asked medical professionals to chew gum and assess their exhaustion after 15 minutes, the research showed that chewing gum can help alleviate the sleepiness.
So, for operators who are tasked with long-haul drives, it’s a good practice to keep a steady supply of chewing gum on hand to help them stay awake.
4. Listen to Something
Roads can get boring, especially if your team has been driving hundreds of kilometers at a steady pace. One way to combat the boredom is for your operators to have a playlist that your drivers can sing along with or a podcast that they can listen to for a more enjoyable and alert drive.
5. Have Snacks
We’ve mentioned how soda can help keep individuals awake due to its sugar content, the same can be said about snacks. Providing your operators with light snacks to bring for the road ahead is one way for them to stay awake while driving.
6. Operate in Pairs
Having a pair of drivers on board can also allow your drivers to have enough sleep even when they’re on the road.
If you’ve purchased a long haul truck with a sleeper cab configuration, your drivers can simply head to the bead and get restful sleep while the other pilots the truck. So, there are no stoppages to your operations.
Preventing Drowsy Driving
We hope that you’ve learned some tricks on how to prevent drowsy driving for your operators to keep the roads safer. In the end, maximizing productivity can be achieved as long as you have a unit that can provide your drivers with a comfortable driving experience.
If you’re looking for top-notch units that can provide your drivers with a comfortable driving experience, you can rely on us at Prime Quest to supply you with the vehicles or transport trucks you need for a smooth delivery experience. Reach out to us today to learn more!
