A PSA For Taking A Nap If You Need To

Folks, if you are tired or begin to get the yawns I implore you to pull over and take a nap! A driver lost his life today on I-71 near Columbus OH and from the description of what happened and the time (between midnight and 05:00) it is reasonable to believe he dozed off. I saw the aftermath and it was heartbreaking. I'm not trying to be a sensationalist but far too often we try to push on just a little while longer because we have some deadline to meet for a delivery. NONE of us have the cure for Ebola in our trailers and while we might get written up for a late delivery, at least we would still be alive. I drive a daycab and get up at 01:30 and I am to my truck around 02:45. There are days that I have to stop and take a 20 or 30 minute nap despite having a full night's sleep. All of us are too important to our loved ones to think any freight is worth losing our lives over. On that note it is my bedtime. Safe travels to all of you.

Jolie

Jolie...I passed that accident going south to Washington Court House...couldn't see much it was dark and a bit fogging. Looked like a dump trailer...on its side across the whole road. Prayers to the driver. Well spoken on the quick nap...even 20-30 minutes helps a lot.

When I was with my previous employer, Id be up at 1am as well and in my truck rolling to get my first trailer load by 2.... There have been MANY MANY times I have had to stop and nap... they say you get the most tired between 00:00 and 05:00..

I agree, Don't be a super hero and try to run through the tiredness... It's not worth it........... "A Hot Load Cools Off Quicker In A Ditch" & "No Load Is Worth Your Life"

I definitely agree with the above statements. I know sometimes when I drive my early morning shift I always plan in an extra hour in case I need to take a nap. My biggest issue is usually finding a spot to take a nap.

One dead after 18-wheeler overturns on I-71 near Grove City

"According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, a 2013 Freightliner 18-wheeler truck was traveling northbound on I-71 south of Harrisburg-Georgesville Road, when it went off the left side of the roadway, into the median, back onto the roadway where it overturned."

You might think I'm nuts but I actually plan a 2 hour nap into my drive time.if I do t need it great. .. but if I so i. Not goi g crazy trying to find truck stops cause I pre planned

If I leave earlier I usually do 5 to 7 am... or later I do 7 to 9 and avoid the work traffic. By doing this I can then do the 8 in the sleeper I have mentioned before and still feel rested and can roll.

You might think I'm nuts but I actually plan a 2 hour nap into my drive time.if I do t need it great. .. but if I so i. Not goi g crazy trying to find truck stops cause I pre planned

If I leave earlier I usually do 5 to 7 am... or later I do 7 to 9 and avoid the work traffic. By doing this I can then do the 8 in the sleeper I have mentioned before and still feel rested and can roll.

This is exactly what I do if I have a tight load but I'm tired. I find it's easier for me to do a sleeper split so I don't have to drive so much all at once. That mandatory 30 minute break isn't enough to get any decent rest, but I can go for another few hours if I get a 2 hr lower nap. Plus, I can sometimes plan to take my 2 hrs during rush hour if I'm going through a big city and miss all the traffic without costing myself any extra time!

Ooohh helllllll no. I never go through cities during traffic times Lol.

I think it was chickempnster that asked about Chicago? I do it at 3am.. and take a 2 hour at the TA in Gary IN. Great place for newbies... huge lot (flying j there huge too). And even at 3 am... I can find an out of the way "creative spot" haha

Ooohh helllllll no. I never go through cities during traffic times Lol.

I think it was chickempnster that asked about Chicago? I do it at 3am.. and take a 2 hour at the TA in Gary IN. Great place for newbies... huge lot (flying j there huge too). And even at 3 am... I can find an out of the way "creative spot" haha

Yep it was me! I actually managed to work my clock so I stopped at my fuel stop just outside Chicago and will roll through around 1:30-2 am. And with this schedule I was actually able to make enough time to get to my delivery in time.