Fighting fatigue among truck drivers

Louisiana residents who drive a commercial truck are well aware of the dangers involved, one of them being fatigue. More than the average passenger vehicle driver, truckers can experience continual physical and mental fatigue because of several factors, including lack of sleep and poor diet. Below are some ways to rectify this.

Reevaluating the sleep schedule

Sleeping six to eight hours each night is ideal. Of course, truckers may not get all of that in one go, in which case they can consider taking naps. They can decide the length and the intervals after some experimenting about what works best for their schedule.

Diet and the limiting of caffeine and alcohol

Next, truckers should eat healthy. A chicken or tuna sandwich, for example, is preferable to a hamburger. Snacks that provide a “sugar rush” are not recommended because they leave one feeling more tired than before. In addition, truckers must avoid alcohol use and, at least in excessive amounts, caffeine. Staying hydrated is important, too, because dehydration has been linked to not only drowsiness but also dizziness and muscle cramps.

How the cab can lead to fatigue

The constant bouncing and jarring of the cab can leave truckers dealing with back problems and even spinal degradation. This worsens driving and causes fatigue. There are seat suspension systems that can help combat this.

Legal representation for accident victims

If you were injured because of a drowsy truck driver, you may be wondering what you can do. Like many victims of truck accidents, you may have incurred severe, debilitating injuries, but if you file a personal injury claim, you might be reimbursed for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages. A lawyer may help with the filing and negotiations after a case evaluation.