Professional Drivers and Working Time: Journey Span, Rest, and Accidents

Shift work is a reality in many sectors of industrial societies. Unfortunately, it is associated with several problems. Within this context, we highlight fatigue caused by extended working hours and the resulting increase in the risk of accidents. This is also a reality on Brazilian roads, with increasingly alarming rates of accidents involving intercity drivers. A significant number of such accidents is related to sleepiness caused by disruptions in the circadian rhythm. The necessity to drive for many consecutive hours without a pause, extended working hours, and mainly driving in the early hours of the morning may affect the driver's wakefulness state and performance. This may be due to a lack of synchrony with the temperature curve, as well as melatonin levels. To minimize the risk of accidents, work schedules should include regular pauses during the work journey. Moreover, such schedules should prevent professional drivers from working for more than 10 consecutive hours, as the risk of accidents increases significantly after the 8th hour at the wheel.