BusTalk

[traildriver]

Okay. I know this may be a hot topic, and I am not intending it to point at any particular accident whose cause has not been officially determined, but here goes...

In recent years, more and more bus accidents (yes, and car and truck too), have been caused by driver's falling asleep at the wheel. Especially prevalent late at night, often in clear weather, no other traffic involved, and no sign of apparent mechanical failure.

A particular problem in long distance bus industry with shortages of drivers causing pressure to drive fatigued, if in legal hours-of-service compliance.

The problem is especially prevalent when the regularly assigned spot on a long overnite trip is "open" (not covered by its regular driver), and has to be covered by an "extra" driver who may have been up all day, off duty, and called at the last minute to fill this slot. Or similarly if an extra section is needed.

My thought is that if possible, on "straigtaway" runs --long runs that require a hotel or dorm stay before returning, should always be set up so that overnight runs are the return trips, if possible. That way it is fairly assured that the driver is rested. Of course that would not address extra sections, but any improvement would be helpful.

Perhaps it is time for technology to enter the picture. Both Mercedes and Lexus have fatigue sensing devices available. And more advanced technology is coming see...
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/07/sleep-detection/

If motor carriers won't voluntarily invest in this, the government should
require it.

The costs to do otherwise are just too high, IMHO.

[JimmiB]

Excellent post traildriver. While it seems that this type of accident is on the increase, the use of "fatigued" drivers has long been common practice with small companies. I drove a couple of years for a four bus operation and couldn't tell you how often I got a phone call to cover for a driver who called in sick. Often the conversation was "I know you just finished a run, but you can take a nap before these people do their return."
That was before there was a real driver shortage. I'm sure its worse now.

[HwyHaulier]

traildriver - JimmiB - Fellow Members -

I've followed this entire issue over the years in the business, though I am more a "somewhat informed observer" and not an M.D.

The ironies with this set of issues? It has enormous amounts of excellent study in, by a wide range of respectable organizations.
Work by insurance companies, major carriers, health organizations, medical societies, and so on. Ever more and more known
about basic human "sleep cycle" demands.

It is to the point we now see business cards for sleep disorder specialists in some surprising place. Examples: A local cardiac man
has extensive work in sleep cycles. Some other physicians, primarily with other specialties, have also extended to sleep issues.
Surprisingly, a local dentist also has cards for a sleep disorder specialist.

We may hope that more work in the discipline may bring more breakthroughs...

......................Vern....................

[Rob]

Radio ads are now playing for "Shift Workers Disorder" Dang, I worked rotating shifts for 30 freaking years and didn't know I was disordered.

[HwyHaulier]