Summer is almost here! A new season means a whole new set of challenges for truckers. There are certain safety precautions that truckers have to take in the summer months that they may not have to take in the spring, fall and winter months. Stay safe this summer and follow these summer safety tips for semi truck drivers.
Wear Sunscreen
If you are frequently getting out of your truck to load or unload, make sure to protect your skin and wear sunscreen. Even if you spend the whole day driving in your truck, wear sunscreen. Just because you are in your truck does not mean you are safe from the sun’s harmful rays. While the warmth of the sun might feel good after the long winter months, failing to wear sunscreen can result in sunburns and strange tan lines.
Wear Appropriate Clothes
In addition to wearing sunscreen, truck drivers need to wear the right clothing to help protect their body from the sun. Wearing a long sleeve shirt will help protect your arms from getting too much sun exposure.
Also, the sun can be very damaging to the eyes. Truck drivers should wear sunglasses and/or a hat to help protect their eyes from the sun.
Stay Hydrated
Avoid getting dehydrated and drink plenty of water on the road. Make sure to have a bottle next to you throughout the day. Have extra cases of water in your truck, just in case you get stuck in traffic or have truck issues. Aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Watch Out for Extra Drivers
The amount of people on the road drastically increases in the summer months. People are traveling for vacation, holidays and more. With more people on the road, this means truck drivers have to take extra precaution and be alert when driving.
Watch Out for Construction Zones
More road work goes on in the summer months. Use extra caution when driving through work zones. Make sure to follow the speed limit. The fines for speeding in a work zone are oftentimes doubled.
Also, you can take a look at the DOT website of each state you will be driving through to see where construction zones are located. You can use the information on the DOT website to plan your trip and avoid construction zones during rush hour.
Check Your Brakes
Brakes can suffer from loss of friction during the hot summer months. To avoid losing your power in your brakes, check your brakes and brake pads often.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Regularly check the air pressure of your truck’s tires. Air pressure increases with temperature, so it is a good idea to check your tire pressure throughout the day to avoid a blowout.
Check out our blog on How Truck Drivers Should Be Preparing Their Semi Truck for Summer.
Share with us your summer safety tips for semi truck drivers in the comments below!
