Why truck drivers should prioritize rest in the Fall

Driving in the fall can be tricky, as you have fewer hours of sunlight and temperatures begin to drop across the United States. For some rookie drivers, this may be the first time they have to deal with some adverse weather conditions and being on the road when sunlight begins to wane.

The change in the amount of sunlight in a day can have a negative effect on drivers in the Fall, as it can lead to increased driver fatigue, which is described as the result of physical or mental exertion that impairs performance on the road

Because days become shorter in Autumn, there is a sharp decrease in light exposure for drivers. That decrease in exposure means that our bodies begin to increase melatonin production, which ultimately makes people feel more sluggish or tired.  With that in mind, rookies should prioritize finding time to rest throughout the season in order to avert the dangers of driver fatigue. 

Additionally, drivers who are new to the industry can be more susceptible to losing focus while driving as they adjust to the day-to-day duties of being out on the road, which can only be magnified due to driver fatigue. Subsequently, getting quality rest in the Fall can help you avoid being in a needless accident that will ruin your CSA score.  

Nevertheless, it should be noted that finding time to sleep as a trucker is already a daunting task. Whether it’s pushy shippers with unreasonable drop-off times or a receiver that held you back a couple of hours, it can be difficult to find time to get some quality rest. 

That issue is probably even worsened for rookie drivers, as they’re rarely offered quality loads. Because they usually get the short end of the stick, rookies can have extremely sporadic sleep schedules, which makes it more difficult to consistently get some rest.  

That shouldn’t discourage new drivers from trying to find time to sleep, though. Taking power naps while waiting for a load to become available or while in detention time could also be beneficial, not just in the Fall, but in the long term as well. 

Studies show that getting more rest can dramatically increase driver lifespans and also decrease the likelihood of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Overall, rookie drivers should always remember that safety is paramount while they’re on the road, so preparing for the rigors of driving in the Fall should be high on their priority list.

So, what do you think about driving in the Fall? Is it more difficult for you? Let us know in the comments or on social media. 

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