Tips for driving a truck at night
When driving a truck at night, drowsiness and fatigue can result from long stretches of travel. To keep both you and other drivers safe on the road, it’s crucial to be alert when driving. Driving when sleepy or tired is equally risky as driving while intoxicated. Additionally, it’s crucial to exercise caution and abide by all applicable national and local laws when driving a truck at night. Use your lights, keep your windows clear, and watch out for intoxicated or irresponsible drivers.
Tips for driving a truck at night
Follow these suggestions to keep safe while driving a truck at night because doing so presents a special set of risks to drivers.
Perform a safety check before departure
You inspect fluid levels, brakes, windows, lights, and tires each day. You must take care of any problems you find during the pre-trip check before leaving.
Some safety measures are given higher emphasis while driving a truck at night than they are when making regular trips. The lights are obviously the most crucial thing when the sun sets.
You should examine the dashboard signals to see whether there is any external lightning. After that, go outside and inspect all the lights.
Maintain a clear windshield
The windshield of your truck can accumulate debris such as bugs and grime. Every time you fill up your fuel tank, it’s a smart idea to clear your windshield to prevent that debris from impairing your vision.
If your windshield is filthy, the reflection when you’re driving a truck at night may impair your visibility. Keep a clean cloth on hand or another simple wipe material handy for a quick wipe in case you discover something that will affect your driving. Regularly replace your wiper blades.
Be aware of any wildlife
Particularly at night, truckers frequently travel on roadways that are used by animals such as foxes or deer, and other wildlife. Stay vigilant and pay close attention to the sides, especially if there are lots of trees and other natural features along the highway’s edges where animals could lurk.
Use strong lights
Many truckers never use anything other than their standard headlights. However, it’s okay to use your high lights as long as you’re more than 500 feet away from an approaching car. High beams will also help you notice and avoid any oncoming traffic in locations with poor visibility or without overhead street lights.
Turn off the dashboard lights
Reduce your dashboard lights to keep your attention on the road and your night vision unharmed. Darkening those lights will lessen the eye strain you experience when you are driving a truck at night. You still have to be able to read your dash.
Avoid looking straight at approaching lights
If you gaze straight at bright oncoming car lights, you might become momentarily blind. It may take several moments for you to adjust to the glare, which might be hazardous for both you and other drivers. When checking for incoming vehicles with strong lights that can potentially create this problem, glance below and to the right.
Have a break
Place your vehicle at a near truck stop, get out, and take a short stroll to obtain some fresh air if you’re feeling drowsy or exhausted. Even modest bodyweight workouts will help you clear some cobwebs and get your pulse pounding. Ten minutes of sleep can also make you feel fresh and prevent you from driving when you’re sleepy.
Regular Sleep Schedule
You might not always be able to get as much sleep as you would at home if you work as a truck driver. But if you make an effort to stick to a regular sleep pattern, you’ll find it simpler to fall asleep and have better sleep overall. You are less likely to feel tired or drowsy while driving if you get adequate rest.