Ok, so this is definitely a whinge (cue the violins etc) but I reckon I’ve got a point.
I’m sat here completely awake at almost 11pm, and I’m due to get up for an 11hr shift at 02:30am. I used to work the early shift every day and it was never an issue before - I’d get up at 02:30am and would always be in bed for 7pm.
However, the problem today is that I worked until 1am this morning (Saturday) and it was 3am by the time I got to bed after driving home/eating/showering. I tried to go to sleep at 7pm as I usually would for this shift, but it’s just not possible to do so when you actually went to bed halfhour after the time you’re usually getting up for the day.
I know it’s not breaking any regs to work this shift, but I don’t think it’s very realistic to expect somebody to be able to go to bed 8 hours after they’ve got up - that would be like expecting an office worker to to to bed at 3pm. I did the same thing the other week and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable behind the wheel. I didn’t feel sleepy but I was totally strung out and bleary.
I know this is a right whinge, but how the hell am I supposed to sleep 3am - 11am, and then be in bed for 7pm on the same day? It’s currently looking like I’ll just be staying up, but you can be ■■■■ sure I’ll be knackered by 7am tomorrow morning with eight hours driving still to go.
Tailschwing:
Ok, so this is definitely a whinge (cue the violins etc) but I reckon I’ve got a point.
I’m sat here completely awake at almost 11pm, and I’m due to get up for an 11hr shift at 02:30am. I used to work the early shift every day and it was never an issue before - I’d get up at 02:30am and would always be in bed for 7pm.
However, the problem today is that I worked until 1am this morning (Saturday) and it was 3am by the time I got to bed after driving home/eating/showering. I tried to go to sleep at 7pm as I usually would for this shift, but it’s just not possible to do so when you actually went to bed halfhour after the time you’re usually getting up for the day.
I know it’s not breaking any regs to work this shift, but I don’t think it’s very realistic to expect somebody to be able to go to bed 8 hours after they’ve got up - that would be like expecting an office worker to to to bed at 3pm. I did the same thing the other week and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable behind the wheel. I didn’t feel sleepy but I was totally strung out and bleary.
I know this is a right whinge, but how the hell am I supposed to sleep 3am - 11am, and then be in bed for 7pm on the same day? It’s currently looking like I’ll just be staying up, but you can be ■■■■ sure I’ll be knackered by 7am tomorrow morning with eight hours driving still to go.
Look on the bright side your next sleep will be a good un
Just because the format of the drivers hours rules and regs are legal, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe.
I’ve always said there is no correlation between health and safety, and drivers hours rules at all.
Your situation is bad enough, but let’s just start with a 15 hour day, with 9 hours off (off, not rest ) just to start another 15 hour day, and driving 44 tonnes amongst other road users…a recipe for disaster if ever there was one.
Incidentally mate, I personally would not have posted what you just have tbh, there has been a few epic ■■■■ ups with tired drivers running into the backs of others lately, and the Old Bill have a way of digging and discovering things when things go ■■■■ up,… and you have just more or less admitted on a public forum, you are too tired to drive in real terms, but intend to anyway…just saying like.
I think I might have to tbh. It’s not a regular shift this, it’s done so the night drivers don’t have to work till midnight on Xmas eve or NYE (we work the Sunday before in lieue).
I know it’s not a regular thing, but I don’t ever like driving when I’m not 100% tbh. It only takes the one incident to ruin my career/people’s lives, and I’m driving in the city centre.
Put it in simple terms,
Would you rather feel the wrath of management for not attending work due to you feeling unsafe to drive due to lack of rest.
Or
Would you rather feel the wrath of the judge and jury at your trial for death by dangerous driving because you attended work whilst feeling unsafe to drive due to lack of rest but decided that you would go in just because you didn’t want to feel the wrath of management.
So the choice is yours.
12 hours at work being on edge because your tired
Or
10 years laying on your back in prison because you killed a family on their way home from a Christmas break with their grandparents.
Hope you choose the right decision.
Tailschwing:
Ok, so this is definitely a whinge (cue the violins etc) but I reckon I’ve got a point.
I’m sat here completely awake at almost 11pm, and I’m due to get up for an 11hr shift at 02:30am. I used to work the early shift every day and it was never an issue before - I’d get up at 02:30am and would always be in bed for 7pm.
However, the problem today is that I worked until 1am this morning (Saturday) and it was 3am by the time I got to bed after driving home/eating/showering. I tried to go to sleep at 7pm as I usually would for this shift, but it’s just not possible to do so when you actually went to bed halfhour after the time you’re usually getting up for the day.
I know it’s not breaking any regs to work this shift, but I don’t think it’s very realistic to expect somebody to be able to go to bed 8 hours after they’ve got up - that would be like expecting an office worker to to to bed at 3pm. I did the same thing the other week and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable behind the wheel. I didn’t feel sleepy but I was totally strung out and bleary.
I know this is a right whinge, but how the hell am I supposed to sleep 3am - 11am, and then be in bed for 7pm on the same day? It’s currently looking like I’ll just be staying up, but you can be ■■■■ sure I’ll be knackered by 7am tomorrow morning with eight hours driving still to go.
Should this not be on another post like the one about mental health it’s sounds like hes crying out for help of some kind
Tailschwing:
Ok, so this is definitely a whinge (cue the violins etc) but I reckon I’ve got a point.
I’m sat here completely awake at almost 11pm, and I’m due to get up for an 11hr shift at 02:30am. I used to work the early shift every day and it was never an issue before - I’d get up at 02:30am and would always be in bed for 7pm.
However, the problem today is that I worked until 1am this morning (Saturday) and it was 3am by the time I got to bed after driving home/eating/showering. I tried to go to sleep at 7pm as I usually would for this shift, but it’s just not possible to do so when you actually went to bed halfhour after the time you’re usually getting up for the day.
I know it’s not breaking any regs to work this shift, but I don’t think it’s very realistic to expect somebody to be able to go to bed 8 hours after they’ve got up - that would be like expecting an office worker to to to bed at 3pm. I did the same thing the other week and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable behind the wheel. I didn’t feel sleepy but I was totally strung out and bleary.
I know this is a right whinge, but how the hell am I supposed to sleep 3am - 11am, and then be in bed for 7pm on the same day? It’s currently looking like I’ll just be staying up, but you can be ■■■■ sure I’ll be knackered by 7am tomorrow morning with eight hours driving still to go.
Should this not be on another post like the one about mental health it’s sounds like hes crying out for help of some kind
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
the jury is out for me on that one as i read them as trolling,completely unsuited to sitting behind a wheel,or this one.
it varies with every post.
Tailschwing:
Ok, so this is definitely a whinge (cue the violins etc) but I reckon I’ve got a point.
I’m sat here completely awake at almost 11pm, and I’m due to get up for an 11hr shift at 02:30am. I used to work the early shift every day and it was never an issue before - I’d get up at 02:30am and would always be in bed for 7pm.
However, the problem today is that I worked until 1am this morning (Saturday) and it was 3am by the time I got to bed after driving home/eating/showering. I tried to go to sleep at 7pm as I usually would for this shift, but it’s just not possible to do so when you actually went to bed halfhour after the time you’re usually getting up for the day.
I know it’s not breaking any regs to work this shift, but I don’t think it’s very realistic to expect somebody to be able to go to bed 8 hours after they’ve got up - that would be like expecting an office worker to to to bed at 3pm. I did the same thing the other week and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable behind the wheel. I didn’t feel sleepy but I was totally strung out and bleary.
I know this is a right whinge, but how the hell am I supposed to sleep 3am - 11am, and then be in bed for 7pm on the same day? It’s currently looking like I’ll just be staying up, but you can be ■■■■ sure I’ll be knackered by 7am tomorrow morning with eight hours driving still to go.
Should this not be on another post like the one about mental health it’s sounds like hes crying out for help of some kind
Mental health, I think your the one that needs help go clean the toilet then make us a cup of T
As already said - if YOU do not feel that you will be safe to drive for the whole shift then its simple - DO NO DRIVE
If management do not accept your reason then get them to put that in writing (or email) - they will not as it leaves them open to a possible charge of corporate manslaughter with a prison sentence if things go badly wrong !
This is why I only ever do jobs with start times within a specific time window which never alters. It allows me do the work hours reqd and get sufficient rest without doubling back and keeps my body clock happy
