Survey: 97% of Truck Drivers Experience Fatigue

Fatigue is something that everyone experiences at some point in their life. Maybe you stayed up late to watch a sports game, or perhaps you have jet lag after a long-distance flight. But while fatigue it typically harmless, it can increase the risk of injury in certain industries. According to a recent survey, 97% of truck drivers and other transportation workers report feeling fatigued while on the job. This is concerning because transportation workers typically drive on the same public roads used by millions of Americans each day.

About the Survey

Conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), the Fatigue in Safety-Critical Industries survey asked workers in high-risk industries about their level of on-the-job fatigue. The survey found that 69% of workers in these high-risk injuries feel tired while working. In the transportation industry, however, the risk is even higher. Ninety-seven percent of tuck drivers and other transportation workers experience fatigue while working, according to the survey.

So, what causes fatigue for truck drivers and transportation workers? When surveyed, truck drivers said sleep loss is the leading cause of on-the-job fatigue. When truck drivers don't get enough sleep, their reaction times become slower. As a result, they are unable to take evasive action to avoid collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury. Along with lack of sleep, another common cause of fatigue among truck drivers is working long shifts. It's not uncommon for truck drivers to spend six or more hours behind the wheel.

How to Prevent Fatigue in the Transportation Industry

There are steps that employers of transportation and trucking companies can take to prevent worker fatigue. First, employers should carefully monitor truck drivers' hours. Currently, federal guidelines allow transportation workers to drive for no more than 10 consecutive hours after being off duty for 10 consecutive hours. Known as the 14-hour rule, it's designed to protect drivers from fatigue and related injury.

Transportation employers can also reduce the risk of driver fatigue by educating their workforce about the dangers of fatigue. Many truck drivers assume fatigue is normal and that it doesn't cause any problems. By educating truck drivers on the dangers of fatigue, drivers will make smarter decisions to stay alert while behind the wheel.

Truck drivers face a myriad of hazards while working. Of those hazards, however, few are as a troubling as fatigue. It doesn't just cause lower productivity; fatigue can lead to serious collisions that result in injury. For these reasons, it's important for transportation employers to protect their workers from fatigue.