No matter how well you plan your trucking schedule, chances are good you are going to find yourself in your semi truck at night. Night truck driving presents a different set of challenges than the ones you must deal with during the day, and it’s important for you to identify them and know how to stay safe at any hour.
Even if you are a seasoned, veteran driver, you can benefit as much as a rookie with these helpful truck driver safety tips to get you from start to finish with no incidents.
1. Complete a Pre-Trip Safety Check
A basic element of safety is keeping your semi truck clean, especially the windshield. As difficult as it is to see through a dirty windshield during the day, it can greatly affect your visibility at night. Be sure to clean your windshield inside and out often, and check your windshield wipers, replacing them as needed if they show signs of wear. Consider adjusting the brightness of your dashboard; that glowing instrument panel can reflect off your windshield and shine right back in your eyes.
Other pre-trip maintenance items, such as checking tire pressures and headlights, taillights and trailer lights are essential to keep you trucking through the night.
2. Avoid Driving When Tired
Tired driving can be as or more dangerous than driving under the influence. No paycheck is worth risking your life and other people’s lives, so if you are too tired to continue driving safely, stop and rest. You can find a safe place to pull off the road, or better yet, head to a truck stop to get out and stretch your legs, get a bite to eat, shower, or take a nap in your cab.
3. Avoid Heavy, Large Meals
What’s the best thing to do after a big, heavy meal? It’s definitely not climbing into your semi truck at night! A full belly means your body is working hard to digest rather than keeping your brain alert. When preparing for a night of driving, it may be a better time for healthy snacks or lighter meals, such as salad, vegetables and lean protein, smoothies, or other food that is easier to digest.
4. Keep the Cabin Cool
Research suggests that a blast of cool air can help to reduce a driver's symptoms of fatigue and keep you more alert. Try opening your window to allow some fresh air into your cab to improve your concentration on the driving task in front of you.
5. Limit Distractions
Paying attention to the road always comes first, and if your mind-occupying activity is too distracting, you shouldn’t do it. Most people default to their phones for entertainment, which you already know you shouldn’t do when behind the wheel. Wait to make phone calls or return texts when you stop to take a break.
If you work in the trucking industry, driving at night may be inevitable, but you can benefit from a periodic review of these and other similar safety tips for truck drivers. Truck drivers with a stellar safety record, both day and night, are always in demand.
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