In terms of the safest mode of trucks transportation during the coronavirus epidemic, taking a road trip seems like an easy decision. (That is if you have to go at all.)
However, commuting for hours — or even days — can be mentally draining. truck accidents are also a serious worry. According to a report, approximately 2 million individuals are wounded in road accidents each year.
Drowsy driving caused 91,000 accidents in 2017, according to the National highway estimates. However, nodding off while driving is more common than you might believe when you’re on the road for extended periods.
Tips and ideas
As a result, you’ll want to devise techniques to keep you awake and secure behind the wheel. Long-haul truck drivers were asked for their best safety advice.
After all, who is better prepared than those who drive for hours on end regularly? Here’s what you should know, according to them.
Plan your itinerary
Eat healthily, sleep well, and stay hydrated
Take breaks
Learn how to read road signs
Make way for the trucks
Prepare your vehicle for a road trip
Examine your immediate surroundings
Plan your itinerary
The easiest method to reduce stress and even avoid problems when driving is to plan out the specifics of your route. Too many individuals simply type their destination into Google Maps, with no clue when or where they want to stop.
There’s nothing wrong with having GPS to get a sense of when and where you want to stop. Calculating how long it will take you to get from point A to point B is the greatest approach to prepare.
Pro-tip
Along the way, seek recreation spaces, restrooms, and dining options so you don’t get lost. You may do this quickly and easily with Google Maps or your preferred GPS.
Eat healthily, sleep well, and stay hydrated
Many people stay up late packing before a long vacation, but it’s critical to be well-rested before driving. Each night, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep.
Then there’s the matter of the food. Before you start your drive, make sure you eat a good meal. To help you feel more satiated and awake, eat a protein-rich breakfast, such as an omelet.
On-road trips, bring plenty of fruit, salads, and already-grilled meats in a cooler since such meals make you feel your best.
Pro-tip
Of course, eating while driving is a distraction. Perhaps, you’ll want to choose a safe place to eat your snacks and meals, such as a rest stop or a parking lot.
Take breaks
You can strive to get to your destination with as few pit stops as possible. Resist the urge to give in. Every driver agrees that stopping every two to three hours to stretch and use the restroom is critical.
Try to stop approximately every 150 miles give or take. During long rides, moving and getting your circulation going helps you stay aware. Of course, if you’re exhausted, you’ll want to come to a halt.
Pro-tip
Instead of pulling over onto the shoulder (where other drivers may not see you’re stopped), look for a parking lot or a hotel room.
Learn how to read road signs
One of the most effective strategies to improve your highway driving confidence is to learn how to read traffic signs. You can go along these roads with confidence if you train your eye to read the signs and understand what they imply.
Construction indicators, for example, have an orange background and will always take precedence over other signage. Yellow warning flags are intended to serve as a reminder.
Make way for the trucks
On your journey, you’re likely to come across enormous vehicles. When driving behind these huge trucks, everyone believes it’s critical to leave plenty of the following space. Allow for breathing room.
They can’t see you if you ride next to them. There are a lot of blind areas. You shouldn’t be so close to a truck’s license plate that you can read it. You should give enough room to see both of the truck’s side mirrors.
And, no matter how eager you are to get in front of a slow-moving car, you should never cut in front of a large truck.
Pro-tip
In normal conditions, a truck moving at highway speeds needs around two football fields to come to a safe stop.
Prepare your vehicle for a road trip
Before embarking on any lengthy journey, make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Check for recent oil changes, battery tests, and tire rotations. Has your truck been inspected at a reputable location?
A general overall inspection would take a mechanic about 20 minutes. It’s also a good idea to store extra emergency supplies in your trunks, such as windshield washer fluid, oil, a shovel brush, and jackets.
Pro-tip
If you’re driving a rental vehicle, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the vehicle in a parking lot so you feel comfortable operating it.
Examine your immediate surroundings
Boredom or tiredness is the most challenging aspect. It can suck you in if you’re not used to it. You can avoid zoning out by listening to audiobooks and scanning the rearview and side mirrors.
Perhaps, decrease the possibility of blanking out by keeping an eye on the road ahead of your vehicle. Search for animals on the side of the road and also monitor your gauges and scan the mirrored mirrors.
Conclusion
To conclude, long-distance trucking drivers have a difficult time adjusting to life on the road. They face numerous hurdles, ranging from long hours to leaving home for weeks at a time, as well as severe health issues related to travel.
You must become a true road warrior to be adept in long-haul trucking. However, you must first possess the essential experience as well as a great deal of patience. Fortunately, there are a few simple strategies to overcome these obstacles.
Whether you are driving a pick-up truck or a box truck, long-distance traveling can prove to be a great challenge. Therefore, follow the ideas that we discussed in this article to plan your trip.
