The Importance of Sleep for Truck Drivers: 5 Tips for Quality Sleep on the Road
The Importance of Sleep for Truck Drivers: 5 Tips for Quality Sleep on the Road
Truck driving is a challenging career. A main challenge for many truck drivers is getting enough quality sleep. Healthy sleeping habits are important for the safety and wellbeing of every truck driver. If a driver isn’t getting enough rest, it can negatively impact the driver’s safety and the safety of others on the road. If you are a truck driver who struggles to feel rested after sleep, check out these five sleep tips and implement a few on your next drive.
5 Tips for Quality Sleep on the Road
1. Don’t Drive to Exhaustion
It is not uncommon to drive to the point of physical exhaustion. This can be referred to as the “tired but wired” syndrome, a dangerous level of exhaustion for truck drivers. Reaching the point physical and mental exhaustion can make falling asleep and resting difficult. When drivers feel they have a “second wind” coming on, many will take advantage of it and push themselves to continue their route. This is extremely dangerous because although you may feel alert and ready, your body is not functioning to its full capacity. The likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel increases in this state putting the driver and other motorists at risk. Even if your federally allotted drive time is not completed, if you are overtired, safety is the number one priority.
2. Find A Safe Parking Spot
When you’re on the road for long periods of time, finding the right location to park is essential to getting proper sleep. It is important to be in a safe area in order to rest comfortably without any worry. Truck stops and rest areas are the two best places to settle down for the night. While it is recommended to avoid ramps as much as possible due to safety concerns, sometimes it is the only option. In this case, make sure to take the necessary precautions and get moving as quickly as possible after you rest. Plan ahead to ensure parking spot availability.
3. Create a Positive Sleep Environment
Sleeping in a truck is not the ideal sleep environment so it’s important to create a relaxing sleep space to improve sleeping quality. A good mattress, insulation pad, high quality pillows and the appropriate comforter for the season are all must haves. Noise cancelling items like sound machines and earplugs may also be beneficial to help cope with noise. In addition to these items, make sure you are keeping your sleep space tidy. Avoid filling this space with unnecessary items to avoid sleep procrastination or interruptions.
4. Avoid Daytime Sleeping
Daytime sleeping goes against the body’s natural sleep rhythm. When you start daytime sleeping your body is thrown off schedule making it much harder to get quality sleep. Despite the negative impact daytime sleep has on truck drivers, sometimes it’s the only option. If sleeping during the day becomes necessary, be sure it is short term and take steps to make your bunk a good sleeping environment by using black out curtains or other light blocking items.
5. Have a Nighttime Routine
Having a good nighttime routine can help our bodies wind down and get into rest mode. If you do not currently have a set routine for bedtime, there are a few things you can start to help your body relax and get ready for sleep. Avoiding stressful phone calls, limiting screen time, eating light and limiting caffeine intake are all ways to achieve undisturbed sleep.
At PTP Transport, we care about the safety of our drivers. Our leadership team works diligently to make sure each driver is prepared, rested and ready to provide quality transportation services every time they get in the driver’s seat. We ensure our drivers get the rest they need providing benefits like home-based resets and flexible dispatch. If you are interested in driving for an organization that cares about your safety and well-being, visit our website today and apply to #DRIVEPTP.