Night Driving: Greater Fluidity, but Maximum Risk for Goods Transport

You know Manuel, that highly experienced man, a large vehicle driver whom I’m always questioning about the most diverse topics.
We started talking about driving schedules, according, of course, to his experience behind the wheel.
He gave me hundreds of examples, he gave me alternatives. He set rules, in short, he almost wrote me a treatise on advantages and disadvantages.
We went online, we searched for elements and alternatives, as well as opinions from experts on the subject, and in the end, as the saying goes, we don’t have a scientific truth, but we do have some criteria that we are going to share.
Daytime or nighttime driving, which do you prefer, benefits and dangers. You have the final word.

The driving of goods transport vehicles on Spanish roads presents a complex balance between logistical efficiency and road safety. Among its main benefits, well-maintained infrastructures stand out, such as an extensive network of highways and motorways that facilitates long-distance journeys, and the existence of a network of rest areas and services adapted to the needs of professional drivers. Driving during the day maximizes these advantages, offering optimal visibility, smoother traffic on interurban roads, and the full operation of clients, customs, and loading and unloading points, which significantly speeds up operations.

However, the dangers are inherent and substantial. Driver fatigue stands as the main enemy, closely followed by distractions and adverse weather conditions, which in Spain can vary sharply between regions. At night, although traffic is lighter and deliveries in large cities are more agile due to time restrictions, the risks multiply. Reduced visibility, drowsiness, and the presence of wild animals on secondary roads exponentially increase the probability of a serious incident. Sharing the road with other vulnerable users, such as cars or motorcycles traveling at inappropriate speeds, adds another layer of complexity.

Regarding accident rates, data in Spain consistently indicates that the nighttime period, particularly between 2:00 and 6:00 in the morning, and sunrise are the most critical periods for heavy transport accidents. This time coincides with the peak of physiological tiredness in humans, where alertness levels drop drastically. Although traffic is lighter, the combination of darkness and fatigue is lethal. Accidents during these hours, although less frequent than during daytime due to the lower volume of vehicles, tend to be more serious due to the higher speeds involved and the difficulty in providing immediate assistance.

Driver exhaustion is not homogeneous. The peak of fatigue usually occurs during the fifth and sixth hour of uninterrupted driving, especially if it takes place during the early morning or after a full previous workday without restorative rest. Night shifts break the natural circadian rhythm, making the driver significantly more exhausted at 4:00 in the morning than at 4:00 in the afternoon, even with the same hours of sleep. The monotony of motorways and the calm of night traffic can induce a state of “highway hypnosis,” which is extremely dangerous.

European and Spanish regulations, set out in Regulation (EC) 561/2006, clearly and truthfully establish the optimal and maximum number of driving hours to guarantee safety. The legal limit is 9 hours per day (extendable to 10 two days a week) and 56 hours per week. However, the “optimum” from a safety and performance point of view is usually lower. Experts recommend that no continuous driving period should exceed 4-4.5 hours without taking a break of at least 45 minutes. The total working day (driving plus other tasks) should not exceed 13 hours. Scrupulously respecting these times, using breaks to actually sleep and not just to wait, is the key to safe driving.

In conclusion, daytime driving in Spain offers a safer and more operational environment for goods transport, while nighttime driving, although tempting for its fluidity, concentrates the greatest risks. The key to mitigating the dangers lies in intelligent logistics management that prioritizes safety over haste, strict compliance with the driving and rest times established by law, and the driver’s self-awareness to detect the first signs of fatigue.

Technology, such as driver assistance systems (ADAS) and smart tachographs, are indispensable allies, but the final responsibility lies in respect for the rules and for one’s own life and the lives of others.