Methods To Avoid Driver Fatigue
HGV drivers are some of the hardest-working people in business. While there are limits in place to ensure that these drivers remain alert and there are requirements to driving hours and such, there are things you can do to avoid drivers fatigue.
The fact is, working late at night and early in the morning is tiring. This is especially true if you’re driving on your own and you have a loaded lorry where you have to be constantly aware of what’s going on at all times. It’s a job that requires complete concentration.
Getting tired behind the wheel is something that can put everyone at risk. After all, if you fall asleep, it could turn into a deadly situation whether you’re driving a small vehicle or a huge HGV or LGV by Easy as HGV Company.
This is why it is so important to take the necessary precautions to avoid putting yourself in a situation where your reaction time is too slow or your concentration fades.
- Stay Fit
One of the main things you need to do when it comes to avoiding driver fatigue would be to stay fit. You need to maintain a healthy body if you want to sustain a healthy mind. By putting in some work daily through consistent exercise, you should be able to keep your mind as sharp as possible. This can help you enhance your focus. Try to incorporate sufficient exercise into your daily routine to assist you with your concentration and to help you strengthen your reaction times.
While that doesn’t mean you need to be pushing hundreds of weights around and training like an Olympian, you do want to ensure that you are getting sufficient daily exercise into your routine.
Even doing small things like a brisk walk daily can help you make improvements to your body and mind. This can do wonders to keeping your mind sharp and healthy and keeping you alert and focused. It can also be a great way to keep your body from suffering from joint pain and other discomforts from sitting too much.
- Get Some Sleep
This may seem simple, but you need to get some rest. If you want to function as well as possible, you need to be well-rested. Getting good sleep is one of the best ways to revitalise yourself. This can improve your alertness. If you’ve ever had poor quality sleep, you’re likely well aware of how it can negatively impact your alertness and focus. This is essential for HGV drivers. After all, you’re getting behind the wheel of a huge vehicle. This can result in poor reaction time and it can increase the chances you fall asleep at the wheel.
Before going on your shift, you need to be fully rested. This means getting a quality 7 hours of sleep minimum. Getting a full sleep cycle is one of the best ways to ensure your brain re-charges allowing you to maintain a high level of alertness.
- Eat Healthily
Pretty much no trucker is known for having the healthiest diet. After all, the service stations and diners open late aren’t exactly known for having the healthiest meals.
That being said, it’s known that fatty foods aren’t good for your health. It’s also known that the consumption of these foods can result in feeling lethargic. Because of this, it’s not recommended to eat them when you are in the middle of driving an HGV truck. It’s better to fill your diet full of healthy whole foods that are full of nutrients to keep you wide awake and feeling alert while driving.