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Sleeping Better as a Commercial Truck Driver

Apr. 3 2019 Articles By Gabrielli Truck Sales

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If you own a truck fleet, the importance of a good night’s sleep for your drivers can’t be overestimated. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it is estimated that fatigue contributes to 30 to 40 percent of all heavy truck crashes and may be underreported as a significant factor in accidents and fatalities. 

Read on to learn how commercial truck drivers can get a better night's sleep using a high-quality sleeper truck. 

Impediments to Sleeping for Truck Drivers

Assuming the driver is not sleeping in a motel, the truck cab is the only alternative. But without the proper sleep environment, a driver may suffer a poor night’s sleep, waking up groggy and a potential danger on the highway. As a fleet owner, you want to promote a workplace culture that values the importance of a good night's sleep. Without the recommended 7-9 hours a night, your employees create a risk on the road. That is not only dangerous to your drivers, but can also become a liability for your company. 

Some of the biggest challenges to restful sleep include:

  • Location of the rest stop: external noise, vibration, odors, lack of safety

  • Comfort inside the cab: temperature, light, internal noise, sleep surface

  • Poor sleep hygiene in general

Discuss these issues with your fleet drivers to get their input. Then, create policies that help them meet their sleep requirements on the road. Investing in sleeper trucks may be another option for your fleet.

Well-Rested Drivers Go the Distance

Promoting a company culture that values sleep also helps to retain driving staff. This is a plus for your business--the cost of training new drivers is significant. You don’t want your current drivers to become so resentful about their overnight conditions that they turn in their keys. Instead, listen to any concerns that your drivers have about their sleep conditions. 

The Essentials of Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene is a term that specialists use to describe one's habits at bedtime. Talk to your fleet drivers about the importance of healthy sleep hygiene at your next staff meeting. You may want to discuss the following points: 

  • If you have a tendency to eat a big meal before sleep, try to be more mindful of what you’re consuming. Eating or drinking too much before bedtime may disrupt sleep.

  • Don't overdo it on stimulants throughout the day. This includes coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, No-Doze, nicotine products including cigarettes and vaping systems, and other stimulants.

  • Blue light from mobile devices can disrupt a driver's natural circadian rhythm and prevent both falling asleep and staying asleep. Advise your drivers to turn off mobile devices an hour before they plan on falling asleep. 

Improving Sleep Quality in the Truck

Having an ideal sleeping space helps, hence the enormous popularity of sleeper trucks. Drivers get a top quality place to sleep with multiple amenities, space to relax, and storage for belongings.

For help selecting sleeper trucks for your fleet in the New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey region, Gabrielli Truck Sales is here for you.

With half a century of family-owned experience and employees that have worked with us for 30+ years, we are dedicated to assisting you in finding just the right trucks. We have a huge selection at our 15 dealerships, including many sleeper trucks. Contact Gabrielli today to get a quote on trucks for your fleet and put to rest any problems your drivers might have getting a great night’s sleep on the road.