The summer is well on it’s way, temperatures are high and the weather conditions can be unpredictable. Whether you have a long-haul or a short-haul, you should plan ahead and get ready for everything that the summer brings.
Here are some tips for truck drivers on how to stay healthy and what to pay attention to more during summer days on the road.
Hydration
Drinking water seems like a logical thing that you don’t need reminding of, but it is something that people often forget easily, and in the summer it is more than important to stay hydrated. Forgetting to hydrate will result in low energy, nausea, and mental cloudiness and it could even lead to bigger problems caused by dehydration. Prepare before getting on the road by bringing enough bottled water with you, depending on how long you will be on the road. Another useful thing you could do is installing an app or making an alarm as a reminder to drink water.
Your truck and the heat
As always, we will remind you of the importance of pre-trip inspection. Checking your tire pressure and breaks that can be affected by the heat, which can cause faster erosion on the breaks and tire blowouts, checking your engine belt condition and maintaining the engine fluid levels, especially the coolant. Doing your pre-trip inspection is important in the summer as it is any other time of the year, so take some time and don’t skip this part of preparing for the time on the road.
Weather changes
Check the weather forecast for the areas you are driving through. The weather in the summer can change quickly, where the scorching hot day can turn into a stormy one. Severe thunderstorms, flooded roads and even tornadoes are all common in the summertime and can affect you doing your job in time and safely. To avoid problems on the road, try staying up to date with the newest weather reports. Sometimes it is better to pull over and wait the storm out than to run into more problems by getting caught in it.
Protect yourself
The first thing to prepare is sunscreen, no matter if you are on a long-haul or a short-haul, you will have to spend some time out of your rig and having sunscreen will help avoid getting sunburnt. Sunburn can make you uncomfortable while driving, but it can also cause a fever and get you to miss work for a day or two. In addition to the sunscreen, you should prepare sunglasses for the drive and even a hat to have some extra protection from the sun. Another thing to remember is the bigger presence of mosquitos and other bugs in the summer days. Bring bug repellent to stay protected from the mosquitos and also bring some glass cleaner and paper towels to clean your windshield from the bugs. It is better to be safe than sorry, and bringing a couple of these items won’t take up too much space, and they can prove to be very useful. Here is a list of most items that you could need while on the road.
Road work and more traffic
More road work is done in the summer months so it is always important to check ahead of time and then drive carefully through these areas, or try to avoid them altogether. Fines for speeding and other violations are often doubled or even tripled in road work areas, so keep that in mind, as well as your safety, and safety of the workers and other traffic participants. The summer is also vacation time so there will be more traffic on the roads so it is important to stay alert and not get distracted or impatient. Stay calm and focused all year long.
Safety first
Summer can be tough, the heat is high, the sun can make you more tired and even unwell. Getting out of your cool rig into the heat can also cause you to feel bad, so be sure to be aware of how you feel and to let yourself take breaks. Your health is your number one priority so if you are feeling unwell because of the heat, stop your truck and if needed contact your dispatcher or supervisor to discuss the options you have.
Summer traffic can be frustrating, the heat can be tiring, and preparing for a trip, and finding new routes because of construction and road work can cost you time and money, but planning ahead will help you stay safe and healthy. Pack your waters, sunscreen, and patience, and you are good to go for your summer hauls.