Daylight Saving Time: 3 Tips for Truck Drivers

Recently, people around the country once again set their clocks forward. Although there has been much debate about whether to advance our clocks in the coming years, in 2023 you are still “losing” an hour of sleep. When it comes to sleep for truck drivers, that one hour can be crucial. Lack of sleep can affect a truck driver’s mental health and safety. Making the shift to daylight saving time can be challenging, below are three tips, when utilized, to ensure a smooth transition.

Limit Technology Use Before Bed

Not surprisingly, the phone screen is usually the last thing a person sees before closing their eyes at night. Technology use before bed activates the brain and makes it harder to fall asleep. When you factor in the lost hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time (DST) compounded by a driver’s screen time, it can be difficult to obtain an adequate amount of rest. When drivers do not get enough rest, it can negatively impact their safety and the safety of others on the road. The National Sleep Foundation recommends limiting technology use to 30 minutes before bed. If you have a hard time putting down your phone before bed, here is a helpful hint; smartphones including iPhone, Android and Samsung have a setting that limits the amount of time spent on your phone during certain periods of the day. Consider enabling this screen time feature to prevent usage after a certain hour.

Risk of Increased Traffic Accidents

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a nationwide census that provides the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with yearly data, reports that the spring DST transition increases traffic accident risk by 6% in the U.S. and is associated with 28 fatal accidents yearly. These traffic accidents can be attributed to interrupted sleep patterns and increased drowsiness.

It is important to be aware of your own drowsiness and to know the signs that indicate dangerous driving. The National Sleep Foundation highlights frequent blinking, heavy eyelids, drifting thoughts and repeated yawning as signs that it may be time to pull over. Stay alert by taking a break to stretch your legs or take a 15-minute nap. Being aware of these indicators may prevent a future traffic accident.

Take Advantage of the Longer Days

Although you are losing an hour of sleep, you are gaining an extra hour of daylight. The extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives truck drivers an opportunity to spend time in the sun or participate in recreational activities. The longer days combined with more sunlight contribute to higher serotonin levels. According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, serotonin plays several roles in your body, including influencing learning, memory and happiness. Although daylight saving time can be taxing on truck drivers, counteract this by taking advantage of the longer days becoming more active and enjoying the extra hour of sunlight.

PTP Transport values our drivers and their safety. As everyone adjusts to the time change, it is important to limit technology use, be alert and aware of your surroundings on the road and enjoy the additional daylight. PTP Transport wants drivers to feel supported, no matter the time of year. Visit our contact page or give us a call at 334-539-5965 to learn more about driving with us.

 

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