The winter brings a list of issues for drivers across the UK, from harsh weather conditions to treacherous roads, so it is no wonder (according to Admiral statistics) 23% of Brits have been involved in a car accident during the winter months.
However, for our HGV drivers, there is a more hazardous problem to add to the winter weather conditions…TIREDNESS!
With short spells of daylight in the winter months, the long dark hours can already impact your alertness. Top this up with enhanced heating to combat the outdoor temperatures and your body and mind enter sleep mode!
During this time, we recommend these 3 steps to help combat tiredness giving you an extra hour;
- Find a safe place to park
- Have 2 cups of strong coffee
- Take a nap for no more than 15 mins – then stretch you
Although these steps help in the short term it is important that you are aware of rules and regulation on driving hours. It is imperative that you adhere to driving hours rules for both your safety and the safety of others!
Who do they apply to?
They apply to all journeys or parts of journeys on roads open to the public by goods-carrying vehicles where the permissible mass of the vehicle, including any trailer or semi-trailer, exceeds 3.5 tonnes;
How long can you drive without a break?
The longest period you can drive without a break is 4.5 hours. How long must I take for a break? You must take a 45-minute break. This may be either:
- an uninterrupted break of 45 minutes.
- or a 15-minute initial break followed by a later 30-minute break during the 4.5 hour driving limit.
The break must be spent exclusively on resting and no other work should be undertaken
How long can you drive each day? The maximum time you may drive each day is nine hours. This may be extended to 10 hours no more than twice during a week.
For a full breakdown of driving hours and break times please consult the gov.uk website
