Safety & service
Recognizing Impairment Before a Delivery Shift
A driver can arrive on time, know the route, and still be unfit to drive safely. The problem might be alcohol, cannabis, a medication side effect, a sleepless night, or an illness that makes concentration difficult. Final mile delivery requires frequent decisions around pedestrians, parked vehicles, and changing traffic. Sigma Continental includes impairment awareness in its safety content because recognizing a problem before starting a vehicle is far more useful than explaining it after a close call.
Judge fitness by the task ahead
NHTSA warns that alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs can impair coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Combining substances can increase their impairing effects. A product’s legal status, a familiar dose, or a person’s confidence does not establish that driving is safe. 1 The relevant question is whether the driver can perform the work reliably and meet every applicable qualification and employer requirement.
Consider the demands of a normal delivery stop: identifying an address, scanning for a child near a driveway, choosing a parking position, and controlling the vehicle smoothly. A small delay in recognizing one of those hazards can change the outcome. Feeling able to sit behind the wheel is not the same as being ready to manage the full sequence.
Ask questions when medicines change
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or other effects that interfere with driving. The FDA advises checking warnings and discussing driving safety with a healthcare professional, particularly when starting a medicine or changing a dose. Some effects can continue into the next day. 2
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist that you operate a commercial vehicle and describe your schedule. Ask about interactions with other medicines, alcohol, or sleep aids, and about the time needed to assess effects safely. Do not experiment with a new medication during a route. Do not stop a prescribed treatment on your own; obtain advice about a safe plan and any required medical qualification review.
Treat fatigue and illness as safety concerns
Fatigue can show up as repeated yawning, missed turns, difficulty remembering the last stretch of road, or trouble keeping attention on ordinary tasks. A strong desire to finish the shift is not evidence that those warning signs will disappear. For commercial operations covered by 49 CFR 392.3, drivers and carriers must not continue operation when illness or fatigue makes driving unsafe. 3
Coffee, an open window, or a louder radio does not solve the underlying need for adequate rest. If you become unsafe to drive, stop at a safe location and notify dispatch. Explain the operational issue clearly so the company can arrange coverage or another appropriate response. Do not attempt to prove you can finish a few remaining stops.
Make speaking up an ordinary decision
Before a shift, pause long enough to assess alertness, symptoms, recent substance use, and any medication changes. If there is uncertainty, raise it before accepting the vehicle. A useful report is specific: describe the symptom, when it began, and why driving may be affected. Avoid diagnosing yourself or a coworker based on appearance alone.
If a colleague seems unable to drive safely, report the observed behavior through the proper channel and seek emergency help for an immediate medical danger. Keep the conversation factual and private. A professional driving culture makes it possible to identify impairment early, obtain qualified guidance, and keep an unsuitable driver away from the road until the issue is resolved.
Sources and further reading
Review current guidance and follow the training and procedures provided for your role.
- Original Safety Articles collection
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Drug Impaired Driving
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Some Medicines and Driving Do Not Mix
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — Illness or Fatigue under 49 CFR 392.3
