Research has shown conclusively that truck drivers endure fatigue regularly, with approximately 27.5% of them suffering from insomnia. Others report getting an average of fewer than 5 hours of sleep at night. This leads to an increased likelihood of drowsy driving and accidents.
If fatigue was found to be the cause of a truck accident, the truck driver and the company are more likely to be liable for the victim’s damages. For this reason, Truck Driver Rights, as a truck accident attorney, has consistently advised client companies against this risk. Companies must ensure that at no point have they encouraged or demanded that a driver violate operating hour restrictions and pushed unreasonable deadlines.
Instead, to avoid any risk of liability or danger to the health and safety of personnel, the following methods against truck driver fatigue are encouraged.
Facilitate open communication between staff and operators
Ensure that all drivers are aware that communication between them and management is open. Drivers who are comfortable expressing concerns about the state if their health and their fatigue are unlikely to push themselves too far for their duties and get into accidents as a result..
At the same time, management becomes aware of each truck drivers’ health and their physical capability to do their job. For instance, some drivers may be able to work longer hours while others won’t.
Give them specific procedures on what to do when fatigue settles in
There will be instances when, despite preparations and restrictions, drivers may find themselves fatigued while on the road. In preparation for these cases, ensure that drivers know the protocols to follow. For example, they can be instructed to pull over to the nearest rest stop or gas station and cease driving the route immediately. This reduces the risk of accidents.
Making these anti-fatigue procedures mandatory also puts drivers’ minds at ease. They shouldn’t have to worry that taking a rest might result in a write-up or other negative action from the company.
Implement a monitoring system
New technologies are now more readily accessible to all companies. Onboard navigation and tracking systems open avenues for management to keep logs of routes, travel hours, and stops. These give companies a better idea of how long a driver has been on the road, and they can issue a command to take a break if they feel that the driver has been on duty for too long.
Reinforce rest times
Ensure that off-duty drivers are getting their required rest and sleeping hours to reduce the chances of driving while tired. Enforce rules such as no calling during sleeping hours, or that all schedules should be finalized and can no longer be changed for “emergency” purposes once they are set in the monitoring system.
This ensures that drivers get uninterrupted sleep and rest and that shifting schedules do not adversely affect their health. They will work only during the hours set for them, and the challenges of shifting schedules are minimized when they aren’t getting changed at the last minute.
Consult with legal counsel to understand your options
Using methods like these, companies can limit their liability in case of fatigue-induced accidents when their drivers are on the road. However, it’s still crucial to discuss options and concerns with a legal professional well-versed in trucking accidents to ensure that your company is protected from these eventualities
Truck Driver Rights. takes great pride in their years of experience and ability to design an aggressive legal strategy that protects clients against liability in these situations. Call today for a free consultation.