Fatigue, Alcohol, Drugs and Fitness to Drive
Domain 8, Fatigue, Alcohol, Drugs and Fitness to Drive, tests the driver’s ability to recognise impairment before it becomes a crash. Heavy-vehicle driving demands sustained attention, so the exam treats fatigue and substance use as safety failures, not personal weaknesses.
Core rules
- Fatigue signs include yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting within the lane, missing signs, irritability and difficulty remembering the last kilometres. The only effective remedy is to stop in a safe place and sleep; coffee, loud music and open windows only mask the problem briefly.
- Plan rest breaks before the trip. Avoid driving during the body’s low points, especially late at night and early morning. A loaded truck needs more recovery time than a car.
- Alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and night vision. Do not drink before driving; a “small” beer can still leave alcohol in the blood. Hangover and withdrawal effects also impair. Cameroon enforces alcohol limits, and professional drivers face consequences for any impairment.
- Drugs and some medicines cause drowsiness, slow reactions or euphoria. Read warnings and ask a pharmacist about sedating antihistamines, strong painkillers and cold remedies. Do not drive under the influence of cannabis or stimulants.
- Illness, eyesight problems and untreated sleep apnoea affect fitness. Report medical conditions that could cause a blackout or sudden incapacity.
Worked example
A driver has slept four hours, drinks strong coffee and sets off at 2 a.m. After 200 km the truck drifts onto the shoulder twice and the driver cannot recall the last exit. The correct action is to stop at a safe parking area and sleep, not to open the window or increase speed. Continuing risks a micro-sleep at the wheel. The trip plan should be changed to include a rest period and a second driver if possible.
Traps
- Believing fresh air or loud music cures fatigue.
- Drinking coffee instead of taking a break.
- Assuming a hangover is not impairment.
- Ignoring a medicine’s drowsiness warning because it is “only a pill”.