Warning signs
- Yawning, heavy eyelids and difficulty focusing
- Drifting in lane or missing junctions
- Not remembering the last few miles
- Restlessness or sudden irritation
What drivers should do
- Stop at the next safe place and take a break. A short nap of about 15 minutes with a caffeinated drink beforehand can help for a short time, but it is not a cure.
- Do not push on to make a delivery time.
- Tell the office. A manager should support this decision.
What fleets should do
- Follow driver hours and rest rules, and check for patterns in the tachograph data.
- Plan schedules with realistic times, not the fastest possible.
- Avoid long shifts followed by early starts.
- Ask drivers about commuting time too. A long commute before a full shift matters.
Link to checks
Rushed daily checks are a sign of pressure. If check times are getting shorter, ask why.
General information, not legal advice or a substitute for official guidance. Check HSE, DVSA and GOV.UK for current requirements.
Related
Driver hours rules (GB)A plain English summary of the main driving time, break and rest limits for lorry drivers in GB, and how they relate to walkaround checks.Mobile phone policy for driversHandheld phone use while driving is illegal. What employers should put in a policy, and how to use phones safely for checks and navigation.