Truck Rental Fatigued Driving: A Danger You Should Pay Attention To

March 21, 2017, 8:00

Tips From A Highland Truck Rental Company That Services NWI

When you invest in truck rental or van rental in Indiana, it is probably as a result of a need to move large pieces of furniture or personal items, or to drive a large group of people. When know that both of these activities, while often necessary, can also be exhausting, especially if you need to drive for hours at a time in order to reach your destination. Before you get behind the wheel, we encourage you to review the following information about fatigued driving, a danger that you should pay attention to:

Fatigued Driving As Dangerous as Drunk Driving

You would never drive a rental truck or van after having a drink – the risks are far too great. But would you drive if you’re overly fatigued in order to reach your destination in time?

A new study published by AAA found that the risks of fatigued driving are similar to those of drunk driving; in fact, drivers who miss a few hours of sleep may quadruple their risk of being involved in a crash when compared to those drivers who get at least seven hours of sleep per night. With fewer than four hours of sleep per night, drivers are 12 times more likely to crash.

How You Can Protect Yourself From Drowsy Driving

If you are driving a truck or van rental when tired, you may be at an even greater risk of accident due to the combination of fatigue and driving an unfamiliar vehicle, especially if you are also driving in an unfamiliar area. To keep yourself safe, you should:

  • Get plenty of sleep the night before a big drive;
  • Stop as needed to rest, eat, and drink;
  • Drive with a passenger who can help to keep you alert; and
  • Trade off drivers as necessary – if you are driving a long distance, you should trade off regularly.

If you find yourself yawning, making small driving mistakes, or having a hard time keeping your eyes open, pull over to a safe location and rest. Doing so could save your life!

At Marcus/Allard Truck Rental, We Care About Safety

At Marcus/Allard Truck Rental, our Illinois and Indiana company cares about your safety. We offer day, week, and month vehicle rentals so that there is no rush to get to your destination, giving you plenty of time to rest along the way. We also allow you to add another driver with a valid driver’s license over the age of 21 to your contract for a minimal cost, so that trading off drivers for long distances is easy.

To learn more about our vehicles and our policies, please contact us today online or by phone. And next time you get behind the wheel of a car – whether one of our vehicles or yours – please make sure you’re well rested!