Sleeping While Driving your Truck

Falling asleep while driving is dangerous and feeling drowsy behind the wheel happens to truckers. Few seconds of nodding on your steering can be fatal. There are many causes of falling asleep while driving such as: 1) Sleep diorders 2) Narcolepsy 3) Obstructing Sleep Apnea 4) Restless leg syndrome 5) Disruption of Biological Clock 6) Medications and Alcohol 7) Poor Sleeping Habit or Sleep Loss 8) Sleep loss Sleep loss is one the most common cause of falling asleep while driving your truck. Disturbed sleep fails to give adequate restwhich caused truckers to feel tired during the day. Sleep Disorders Sleep disorder can cause truckers to feel tired during the day. Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that affects your ability to properly regulate your sleep schedule. Narcolepsy is caused by environmental triggers that induce your brain to rapidly release the chemicals which lead you to fall asleep. This can cause sudden loss of muscle control, strong emotions or severe daytime fatigue. Obstructive sleep apnea This condition causes the patient to stop breathing while you are asleep. This can be caused by the airway becoming blocked or conditions that cause the airways to become floppy or narrowed because the body relaxes to the point where the muscles that regulate your breathing do not function properly. Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder Restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder commonly coexist in patients. In combination, these conditions can cause insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and daytime fatigue. I Disruption of Biological Clock Troubled biological clock will sends the signals to the brain and tells it to get sleep in the mid-afternoon and at night. If you are trucking at this time, you can potentially fall asleep while driving. Medications and Alcohol Alcohol is a depressant which will increase feelings of sleepiness or fatigue that are present. Some medications also list fatigue as a side effect. Poor Sleeping Habit or Sleep Loss Activities such as working late, worrying about personal issues or choosing to stay up late to socialize can interrupt this natural sleep schedule. You may fall asleep behind the wheel. Tips to Avoid Falling Asleep While Driving 1) Get Enough Sleep 2) Get restful sleep. 3) Avoid caffein 4) get comfortable bed or room at good temperature 5) Avoid excessive light or noise 6) get at least 6 hours sleep.

Tips for Driving on the Road 1) Try to avoid driving when you are feeling drowsy. 2) If you will be driving for a long period of time, avoid using the cruise control setting. 3) Staying actively involved with your driving can help you stay alert. 4) If you find yourself becoming drowsy or distracted, keep the car cool to help promote alertness. 5) Listen to music 6) Get involved with an active conversation. 7) Avoid driving for long periods at night or driving for long distances alone. 8) Stop at a rest area every 1-2 hours to exercise and increase your energy level. 9) If necessary, stop in a rest area to take a 15-20 minute nap to avoid falling asleep behind the wheel. 10) Once you begin driving again, make a point of sitting up straight. Slouching down in the seat can promote sleepiness, particularly if you are driving at night