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Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue: Long-Term Health and Highway Safety

Stuart Blair

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Published in Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue Long Term Health And Highway Safety: Research Needs

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Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are essential to the economy, transporting goods and people across the country. However, their long hours and irregular schedules can lead to fatigue, which can impair driving performance, increase the risk of crashes, and contribute to long-term health problems.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue, Long-Term Health, and Highway Safety: Research Needs

5 out of 5

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Causes of Driver Fatigue

There are a number of factors that can contribute to driver fatigue, including:

Long hours: CMV drivers often work long hours, with many driving more than 10 hours per day.
Irregular schedules: CMV drivers may have to work nights, weekends, and holidays, which can disrupt their circadian rhythms and make it difficult to get enough sleep.
Physically demanding work: CMV drivers often have to lift heavy objects and work in awkward positions, which can lead to fatigue.
Stress: CMV drivers may face a number of stressors, such as traffic congestion, deadlines, and the pressure to deliver goods on time. These stressors can contribute to fatigue.

Consequences of Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue can have a number of negative consequences, including:

Impaired driving performance: Fatigue can impair a driver's reaction time, coordination, and judgment. This can increase the risk of crashes.
Increased crash risk: Studies have shown that fatigued drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes. In fact, fatigue is a major contributing factor to truck crashes.
Long-term health problems: Driver fatigue can contribute to a number of long-term health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This is because fatigue can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and lead to hormonal imbalances.

Interventions to Improve Driver Health and Safety

There are a number of interventions that can be implemented to improve driver health and safety, including:

Limiting driving hours: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours that CMV drivers can drive. However, some drivers may still exceed these limits.
Scheduling breaks: Drivers should take regular breaks to rest and recover. This will help to reduce fatigue and improve driving performance.
Improving sleep hygiene: Drivers should get enough sleep and practice good sleep hygiene habits, such as going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning.
Managing stress: Drivers should find ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
Using technology: There are a number of technologies that can be used to help drivers stay alert and avoid fatigue, such as lane departure warning systems and automatic emergency braking.

Driver fatigue is a serious problem that can have a negative impact on driver health, safety, and productivity. By understanding the causes and consequences of driver fatigue, and by implementing effective interventions, we can help to improve the health and safety of CMV drivers.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Fatigue, Long-Term Health, and Highway Safety: Research Needs

5 out of 5