April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and truck drivers face a sobering statistic: they are 23 times more likely to cause an accident when texting at the wheel, despite Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration restrictions on phone usage and every state prohibiting cellular phone use when driving.
Judgment lapses behind the wheel are only a small part of the distracted driving equation and mandated refresher trainings haven’t curbed those figures.
There’s a reason for this: it’s one thing to talk about having a culture of safety, but providing a culture of safety begins with a purposeful understanding of driver psychology, supplemented by a management team that truly cares for its drivers. That requires fleet managers to prioritize a comprehensive approach towards mental well-being in which they are genuinely attuned to driver psychology, and support that approach with technology solutions.
Mental well-being begins with proper sleep
Fatigue management is neither discussed nor implemented enough in the trucking industry, and failing to address it renders tactical approaches to mental well-being meaningless. Specifically, there should be frequent and targeted communications regarding the importance of proper amounts of sleep that also encourage a commitment from fleet managers and drivers address this problem. These communications should include information on the physiological effects of improper sleep, and tactics for improving sleep quality. Companies can provide resources such as sleep masks, earplugs, and other items to help drivers get better quality sleep while on the road.
In addition, sleep apnea is a key element of fatigue management that is likely overlooked, for which employers can provide financial and medical support.
Johns Hopkins estimates that 3% of normal weight individuals, and as much as 20% of obese individuals, suffer from sleep apnea. Truckers who have tried everything to fight off fatigue and drowsiness with limited success should determine if they exhibit symptoms of sleep apnea, and consult with a specialist if they do. There are numerous interventions are available which significantly improve sleep quality, and employers who subsidize those interventions truly walk the walk in regards to caring for drivers and creating a culture of safety.
Technology solutions
Once fatigue management strategies have been implemented, technology provides a comprehensive set of in-cab solutions. These include the monitoring of driver hours of service using a federally-required electronic logging device (ELD) to track drivers’ hours of service, and providing rest breaks and scheduling flexibility to ensure that drivers have adequate time to rest and recover.
Wearable devices can monitor drivers’ vital signs and provide alerts when signs of fatigue are detected. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are entering the sector, providing predictions and insight into when drivers are at risk of fatigue, and provide recommendations for rest breaks and other interventions. Lane departure warning systems are available in some trucks, which alert drivers when they drift out of their lane. Other vehicles have collision avoidance systems, which use sensors to detect potential hazards and warn drivers of an impending collision.
Many drivers still rely on texts and calls regarding route management, but hands-free tablet-based platforms exist to improve communications between drivers and dispatchers, as well as provide additional benefits. The most beneficial tablets keep distractions to a minimum. Forms-based messaging tablets are designed for one-touch usage, and some are designed so they will neither permit reading or responding while driving.
Commercial trucking tablets are not as fragile as those designed for retail consumers. They are built to withstand the rigors of the road, including extreme temperatures, vibrations, and shocks, and are often equipped with special features such as glare-resistant screens to ensure maximum visibility in all lighting conditions. They can be customized to suit the needs of individual drivers and fleets. Fleet managers can choose which apps and features to include on the tablets, such as pre-trip inspection checklists, load tracking, and maintenance reminders, among others.
Tablets also serve as a conduit for driver morale, as drivers can maintain communication with their families, access entertainment options during downtime, and communicate with other drivers or their dispatchers on long-haul routes.
Everyday vigilance
Vocational fleets have daily hands-on opportunities to reduce the possibility of distractions. Construction workers have required safety briefings every day, and fleets should emulate this tactic by encouraging drivers to have a “self-briefing” before they get on the road.
Drivers are required to perform pre- and post-trip inspections anyway, so using a patented electronic verified inspection report allows a driver to know that everything on his truck is buttoned up before departure. This includes walking the vehicle to make sure it’s clear of hazards, cargo securement, not over-occupying a cab to transport more workers to and from a worksite, and making certain protective gear has been removed so that the employee is comfortable while driving.
Distracted driving mitigation goes beyond providing tactical tools. It requires a thoughtful, empathic, creative and comprehensive approach towards creating a culture of safety and caring at every fleet. A driver who has good morale and enough rest is less likely to let his attention wander as he travels America’s highways.
