Drowsy driving is dangerous; don’t be afraid to pull over

Driving a truck is one of the best professions around. You see new parts of the country on a daily basis, you’re never stuck sitting in a cubicle, and if you’re passionate about the work, you can make a comfortable living. However, it also can take a toll on your sleeping habits.

Driving through the night and early morning can throw your circadian rhythm out of whack, as can long-haul jobs that require you to cross the country in merely days. While it might be tempting to push through the exhaustion, it’s critical that you take sleep seriously.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says drowsy driving was responsible for nearly 72,000 crashes in 2013 alone. That same year, 44,000 people were injured as a result of drowsy driving and 800 people died. The numbers speak for themselves: drowsy driving is dangerous driving.

As a truck driver, you have a responsibility to yourself and the people that you’re sharing the road with. To make sure that you are always alert when you’re behind the wheel, follow these best practices:

• Stop to take a break and stretch your legs every 2 – 3 hours
• Chew gum
• If you start to feel sleepy, pull over and take a nap until you feel better
• Turn on the radio and listen to music or a talk show
• Roll your windows down
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated
• Eat three meals each day

While you might lose a few hours here and there, it’s far better to take time out for yourself in order to ensure you can get from one destination to the other safely and without incident. Your sleep matters — stay safe out there and don’t drive drowsy.