What Do Truck Drivers Take to Stay Awake?

By Bailey & Greer, PLLC | March 15, 2023

What Do Truck Drivers Take to Stay Awake?Driver fatigue is a major cause of fatal and catastrophic truck accidents. Many trucking companies push drivers to make as many deliveries as they can in as little time as they can. Often, this means drivers either need to drive faster or be on the road longer. The nationwide shortage of commercial truck drivers is only increasing the pressure on truckers to drive more and rest less.

if you have been in an accident with a truck driver that was driving while impaired, or engaging in unsafe behaviors, Bailey & Greer, PLLC can help. Contact a Little Rock truck accident lawyer at our firm today to get started.

The FMCSA hours of service rules

The FMCSA has rules, known as hours of service (HOS) rules, that govern how long truck drivers can operate their trucks without taking rests. For example, one hour of service rule “requires a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes after 8 cumulative hours of driving time (instead of on-duty time) and allows an on-duty/not driving period to qualify as the required break.” Another rule provides that truck drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

To ensure that drivers meet the hours of service rules, the drivers and the truck companies that hire the drivers are required to keep logs (usually electronic logs) that record the hours of operation of the truck.

According to Commercial Truckers, a resource for truck drivers, drivers can sleep in many different places such as truck stops, interstate rest areas, and even customer parking lots. They can also sleep in local motels.

Staying awake while driving a truck

The best remedy is to get off the road and rest or sleep. A 20-30 minute nap can help truck drivers refresh their energy levels. While driving, Commercial Truckers recommends that truck drivers:

  • Eat healthy foods. This usually means avoiding fast food places. It also means eating fewer carbs, which can cause fatigue. Fruits and vegetables are better than French fries and potato chips.
  • Take vitamins. Vitamins, like Vitamins B and C, can help drivers maintain regular energy levels throughout the day.
  • Stay hydrated. Dehydration contributes to fatigue. Just be sure to hydrate before you drive or when you stop so both hands are on the steering wheel. Understand that you may need to take more rest stops if you’re fully hydrated to relieve yourself. Be careful about using caffeine, which can make you anxious or nervous. Generally, water is the best beverage to drink.

Another truck driver resource recommends the following for drivers who need to stay awake:

  • Start fresh. Get a good night’s sleep so you’re fully rested when you start. If you start your day tired, your ability to keep awake will go steadily downhill as the day progresses. It helps drivers get a night’s sleep if they have a regular routine, avoid caffeine before bed, and relax before trying to sleep.
  • Don’t take medications that will make you drowsy. Read the medication labels and speak with your doctor about the medications you take. Normally, medications that cause drowsiness are taken before you go to sleep.
  • Lower the temperature in the cab. Opening the windows, for example, helps reduce the temperature while also changing the noise level.
  • Listen to music or something that interests you. Just be sure not to constantly change the radio station or pop in new CDS. Your hands should be on the steering wheel with very limited exceptions. Be sure to plan your listening before you get into the cab. You might try some podcasts. Audiobooks are good because you can listen for hours.
  • Move your eyes. While your priority should be on the road in front of you, it’s also good to be aware of your surroundings.

If you have difficulty sleeping, see your physician. He/she can review whether you have sleep apnea, need to use a CPAP, or if there are other factors that can help you sleep.

Don’t use drugs and drive

The one thing truck drivers should not do is use drugs while driving. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that different drugs cause different driving problems:

Marijuana can slow reaction time, impair judgment of time and distance, and decrease coordination. Drivers who have used cocaine or methamphetamine can be aggressive and reckless when driving. Certain prescription medicines, including benzodiazepines and opioids, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impair cognitive functioning (thinking and judgment). All of these effects can lead to vehicle crashes.

It should go without saying that truckers should never ever drink alcohol and drive.

The FMCSA states that drivers cannot use a controlled substance or a prescription medication unless a licensed practitioner prescribes that substance/medication. The rules provide that a driver who uses certain “scheduled” drugs such as amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit-forming drug, will be considered medically unqualified to drive.

A prescribing doctor can write “that the driver is safe to be a commercial driver while taking the medication.” A medical examiner who certifies commercial doctors will review whether specific drugs that the prescribing doctor allows may adversely affect the commercial driver’s ability to drive safely. The medical examiner will:

  • Review each medication – prescription, non-prescription, and supplement
  • Request a letter from the prescribing doctor

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our Little Rock truck accident lawyers understand the reasons these crashes occur. We are skilled at showing that drivers were drowsy and that fatigue was the cause of your accident or the death of a loved one. In addition to reviewing the hours of service logs, we review every step of the driver’s journey through discovery, questioning witnesses, and other forms of investigation. Our Little Rock truck driving accident lawyers have a strong record of successfully settling and obtaining verdicts in personal injury cases. Please call us or use our contact form to request a free consultation.

Also serving Bryant, Shannon Hills, Austin, Conway, Cabot, Maumelle, Alexander, Jacksonville, North Little Rock, Gibson, Sherwood, Evergreen, Plaza Terrace, Hillcrest, Briarwood, University Park, Forest Hills, North Normandy, South Normandy.

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