I am delighted to announce the launch of the new training module I have written for the CIHT Learn platform, Driver Nutrition and Fatigue: Safety on the Road where we invite the industry to become more proactive regarding driver health – beyond compliance.

Driver fatigue remains one of the most significant risks affecting road safety, yet discussions around fatigue often focus solely on sleep. This new course explores a broader and equally important question, how do nutrition, hydration, circadian rhythms and workplace culture influence driver alertness, decision-making, reaction times and overall wellbeing?

One of the key messages emerging from recent industry conversations on driver health is that compliance alone does not guarantee safety.

Organisations may meet all regulatory requirements and still face risks associated with fatigue, poor nutrition, dehydration and chronic health conditions. The challenge for the sector is to move from asking, ‘Are we / our drivers compliant?’ to asking ‘Are our drivers genuinely fit, healthy and able to perform safely every day?’ This course supports that wider conversation.

Fatigue and poor health can contribute to absenteeism, presenteeism, reduced performance and the loss of experienced staff from the workforce. Supporting healthier eating, hydration and fatigue-management practices can form part of a wider organisational strategy and workplace culture to improve employee wellbeing, enhance retention and maintain a safe, productive and sustainable workforce.

Designed for drivers, supervisors and transport leaders, we examine the critical links between health and safety performance. Through engaging scenarios, practical reflection activities and evidence-based tools, learners will gain strategies they can apply immediately, both personally and within their organisations, to reduce fatigue risk and improve safety outcomes.

The course covers:

• The relationship between nutrition, fatigue and road safety.
• How blood sugar instability affects alertness, mood and decision-making.
• Food and hydration strategies that support sustained energy levels.
• The impact of circadian rhythms on fatigue and meal timing.
• Practical nutrition approaches for early, late and night shifts.
• Recognising the symptoms of dehydration, low blood sugar and stress.
• Developing a personal action plan to improve energy and wellbeing.
• Organisational measures that can support healthier, safer drivers.

By taking a holistic approach to fatigue management, this module highlights how small changes in daily habits and workplace practices can make a meaningful difference to driver wellbeing and road safety outcomes.

Whether you are looking to improve your own performance behind the wheel or create a safer operating environment for your workforce, the course provides practical, actionable insights that can be put into practice straight away.

It is available now through the CIHT Learn platform via the link above. It is free to members of the Bus Centre of Excellence. I hope it proves a valuable resource for anyone committed to improving driver health, wellbeing and safety.

Do send me your feedback on any helpful updates to the material or results once the module is completed and recommended practices are adopted in your organisation. This would be most valuable, thank you.