It’s tempting to think that feeling “a little sleepy” is no big deal when it comes to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. After all, how bad can a little fatigue or sleep deprivation be?
Turns out, REAL bad.
In fact, according to the National Safety Council, over 100,000 police-reported crashes happen every year because of drowsy driving, resulting in 800 deaths and 50,000 injuries. And get this: Fatigued driving is likely underreported, which means all these numbers are most likely higher—way higher.
While driver fatigue can affect anyone, it’s considered an occupational hazard for those who rely on driving for a living. One study reported that “13 percent of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers were considered to have been fatigued at the time of their crash.”
One of the main challenges with combatting driver fatigue among commercial drivers is making sure that everyone involved understands exactly what driver fatigue is, how to recognize the signs, and how to manage it safely and effectively. This brings us to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and its new approach to tackling all those things—and more.
As its name implies, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is committed to promoting safety among commercial drivers, which is why it recently announced its adoption of the North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP).
As the CVSA press release explains, the program “was developed by medical and sleep scientists from Canada and the United States through a multi-year, four-phase comprehensive process. The program aims to prevent driver fatigue and eliminate fatigue-related crashes.”
The program, which is 100% free and voluntary, tackles driver fatigue by . . .
The NAFMP website says that when the program is fully implemented, “it has the potential to reduce fatigue-related risks, crashes and near-crashes and improve driver alertness, health and wellness.”
Creating safer roadways is something that benefits everyone, from individuals to businesses. But businesses can benefit in other ways:
Are you or any of your employees currently enrolled in any of the NAFMP’s free training courses? We’d love to hear what you think of the training and any other experiences you’ve had. Share in the comments below.