Prevent Drowsy Driving: Sleep First, Drive Alert™

Truck drivers spend more time on the road than any other profession. Not only do truck drivers personally combat drowsy driving, but they are also subject to encountering drowsy drivers during their daily/nightly routes. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 6 in 10 drivers (62%) have driven a car when they were so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open. That’s a projected 150+ million U.S. motorists. We encourage every truck driver to conduct a self-assessment by answering the following questions. Have I driven when I had a difficult time keeping my eyes open? If the answer is yes, our tips can help you combat this very dangerous issue facing all drivers.

What is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®?

Born out of the fact that drowsy driving is dangerously common but preventable, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) launched an awareness campaign to do just that — prevent drowsy driving.

The National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when alert and refreshed. The goal is to help people get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers choosing to drive while sleep deprived. By joining the outreach effort, you can help fellow truck drivers drive alert and work to prevent thousands of motor vehicle crashes each year.

Drowsy Driving is a Public Health Issue

Just like drunk, drugged and distracted driving, drowsy driving is a real public health issue, causing thousands of crashes each year and killing an estimated 6,400 people in the U.S. alone, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports an estimated 100,000 crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving, resulting in more than 71,000 injuries and $12.5 million in damages.

Tips for Healthy Sleep to Prevent Drowsy Driving

The most important way to combat drowsy driving is to engage in quality sleep. This is easier said than done for many, especially truck drivers. Follow the below tips designed for both day and night for quality sleep.

Daytime Tips:

1. Light: Spend time in bright light during the day, natural light or equivalent brightness.
2. Exercise: Exercise regularly for a deeper sleep. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
3. Mealtimes: Eat your meals at consistent times each day.

Nighttime Tips:

1. Things to Avoid: Avoid heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
2. Wind-Down: Use a consistent routine with a relaxing wind-down to help get the sleep you need each night (7–9 hours for most adults, with the same sleep and wake times.)
3. Environment: Put your devices away an hour before bed and sleep in a quiet, cool, and dark environment.

To learn more health tips for drivers, visit earlier blogs. For more information on what we offer our drivers, check out our driver benefits.