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Sleepy on the job: How taxi drivers can avoid microsleeps.
With the switch from daylight saving time to standard time, many people lose their usual rhythm. It gets darker earlier, the body signals fatigue often already in the late afternoon. For professional drivers who work long shifts and night drives, the risk of fatigue and dangerous microsleep increases.
Seconds of inattention can be fatal
Microsleep refers to extremely short sleep episodes that often last only seconds. Even a moment of drowsiness can have serious consequences: At a speed of 100 km/h, one second of sleep equates to about 28 metres of blind driving. What is especially insidious is that microsleep can also occur with eyes open. The brain then perceives visual stimuli only with a delay, and reaction time lengthens significantly. Experts estimate that up to a quarter of all traffic accidents are attributable to fatigue.
Driver assistance systems support – but do not replace attention
Since 2024, fatigue warnings and active lane-keeping assistants are legally required in new vehicles. These systems can help detect impending fatigue early and counteract it with warnings or automatic corrections. Nevertheless, personal responsibility remains crucial. Many taxis in taxi operations are older and do not yet have the corresponding technology – here the drivers' attention is all the more important.
Causes: sleep deprivation, monotony, and unusual hours
Sleep deprivation and a disturbed sleep rhythm are among the main causes of fatigue at the wheel. Especially on trips at unusual times – for example late evenings or at night – concentration can decline significantly. Monotonous stretches, darkness and a heated vehicle amplify the effect. As a result, distances and speeds are misjudged, reactions slow down. Many drivers do not notice in time that they are about to fall asleep.
Medications and health conditions as additional risks
Besides exhaustion, medications and health factors can also contribute to fatigue. Substances such as antidepressants, antipsychotics (neuroleptics), opioids, or antihistamines impair driving ability. If used regularly, the issue of road safety should be discussed with the treating physician. Conditions such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea also cause pronounced daytime sleepiness and are common triggers for microsleeps.
Take warning signs seriously and pause in good time
The Auto Club Europa (ACE) recommends taking the first signs of fatigue seriously immediately. These include yawning, burning eyes, inattention, tunnel vision, or double vision. If such symptoms occur, a break should be taken immediately – if necessary, even a short sleep in the parked vehicle.
For longer journeys, a break is recommended about every two hours. A short "power nap" of ten to twenty minutes can help temporarily restore performance. Afterwards, outdoor movement provides an extra boost to circulation.
Further recommendations for the day-to-day taxi operation
Taxi drivers should generally start their shift rested. Light meals and adequate hydration during the shift counteract fatigue-related lapses in concentration. If you drink coffee, you should ideally have it before a short power nap – caffeine begins to take effect after about 20 minutes.
Anyone who suffers from fatigue on a persistent basis should have this medically checked, for example with regard to a possible sleep apnea. Regular self-monitoring and breaks are crucial in rush-hour traffic to ensure your own safety and that of the passengers.
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