Chapter 1: Fatigue—The Invisible Enemy of Transport
Fatigue at the wheel is responsible for approximately 20% of serious accidents in the freight transport sector. In 2026, with increasing pressure for delivery times and the intensive use of digital systems, cognitive fatigue has become a top-tier occupational risk. It is not just physical tiredness, but the degradation of executive functions necessary to react to an unforeseen event.
Strict compliance with driving and rest times is the first line of defense. However, the tachograph only records legal compliance, not the actual quality of the driver's rest. Therefore, prevention must go beyond simply recording activities in the .DDD file.
Chapter 2: Sleep Apnea (OSAHS) and its Legal Impact
Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) is a pathology especially prevalent among professional drivers due to sedentary lifestyles and irregular schedules. Current road safety regulations are clear: a driver with undiagnosed or untreated OSAHS represents an extreme risk and may have their professional driving license suspended.
2.1. Warning Symptoms for the Driver and the Company
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: An overwhelming need to sleep during stops or waiting periods.
- Loud Snoring and Respiratory Pauses: Generally detected by a partner or during clinical tests.
- Chronic Fatigue: A feeling of not having rested after a regulatory rest of 9 or 11 hours.
- Irritability and Lack of Concentration: Directly affects decision-making on the road.
It is a driver's duty to report these symptoms during company medical check-ups. On the other hand, the company has the responsibility for health surveillance, facilitating diagnostic tests if recurring fatigue patterns are detected.
Chapter 3: Sleep Hygiene in the Cabin
Achieving quality rest inside a truck is a technical and ergonomic challenge. In 2026, cabin designs have improved, but driver habits remain the key. The right to digital disconnection is fundamental for the brain to enter the deep sleep phase.
To guarantee restorative rest, it is recommended to avoid using screens (mobiles, tablets) at least 30 minutes before sleeping in the bunk. Furthermore, compliance with the prohibition of taking the normal weekly rest in the cabin, according to the **EU Mobility Package**, aims specifically for the driver to recover their circadian rhythm in a suitable environment, away from the vehicle.
Fatigue and Criminal Liability
In the event of an accident, forensic experts analyze tachograph data to verify if there were driving excesses. If it is proven that the accident was caused by drowsiness and there were previous infringements not corrected by the company, criminal liability can reach fleet managers for negligence in occupational risk prevention.
Chapter 4: Technology for Drowsiness Detection
Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 introduced the mandatory requirement for advanced systems in new vehicles, such as drowsiness and attention loss warning (DDR). These systems monitor blinking patterns and head position.
However, the best technology is prevention. Performing manual entries honestly allows management software to detect if a driver is pushing their biological limits. At TachoTools, we promote that data analysis should not only serve to avoid fines but to save lives by detecting extreme fatigue patterns.
Chapter 5: Recommendations for Safe Fleets
To reduce the impact of fatigue on daily operations, companies should adopt proactive protocols:
- Realistic Planning: Avoid routes that force drivers to always exhaust the maximum permitted driving hours.
- Specific Training: Include nutrition and sleep modules in CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) continuous training courses.
- Periodic Medical Check-ups: Encourage early detection of sleep apnea without fear of labor reprisals.
A healthy driver is an efficient driver. By reducing fatigue, infractions due to oversights, fuel consumption, and, most importantly, the risk of accidents decrease.