Fatigue causes many truck accidents in California, and the trucker is oftentimes to blame. Though there are many negative aspects to their line of work, truckers must still be responsible behind the wheel. They could start by taking the following tips into account.
The importance of sleep and good food
Like everyone else, truck drivers need between six and eight hours of sleep every night. They may want to fit in a 40-minute nap somewhere in their day if they cannot achieve this goal. The National Sleep Foundation says that naps increase alertness and improve driving performance.
In addition, healthy foods give the body more energy whereas unhealthy foods don’t replace what the body expends during digestion. Truckers should avoid fast food, donuts and sugary snacks, opting instead for a chicken or tuna sandwich, English bagels and muffins.
Dehydration leads to drowsiness
Truckers must drink water, or else they will become fatigued and experience headaches and muscle cramps, all as a result of dehydration. Next, they should cut down on caffeine. Long-term caffeine consumption has been connected with higher blood pressure, nervousness and headaches. Alcohol is also out of the question as it’s a depressant.
Lastly, truckers should know that their truck cabs may contribute to their fatigue. The constant shaking and bouncing can lead to back pain and spinal degradation.
When truckers do nothing about drowsiness
Being injured by a negligent truck driver, you’ve been left to deal with severe injuries and perhaps a permanent disability. Like many victims of motor vehicle accidents, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible party. This could mean filing against the trucking company or, if the driver is an owner-operator, against the insurance provider. For personal attention to your case and assistance with negotiations and other steps, you may want to consult a lawyer.