8 Truck Driver Safety Tips To Remember During Summer

Most people don’t consider summer to have special driving conditions other than when it rains. But, truck drivers understand their work falls under a different set of rules. Summer comes with possible serious mechanical issues and road safety issues that must be considered. Here are some summer driving tips that can help keep you safe.

Routinely check your tire pressure

Tire blowouts are quite common on extremely humid days during the summer. The biggest cause for this mishap is under-inflated tires. If you fail to routinely check the pressure on your truck’s tires, then the chances of a blowout occurring increase significantly. You could be in more danger if you have longer delivery routes.

Check your brakes before traveling

Hot temperatures also play havoc on a truck’s brake system. Loss of friction is the chief cause for major mechanical issues. The breakdown occurs because the components have become too brittle to function. Before leaving the warehouse, make sure the brakes are in good condition with a thorough inspection.

Check the weather report

The summer months bring severe weather conditions, such as heavy thunderstorms and flooding in many locations. The weather can change in the blink of an eye in certain areas as well. It’s smart to check the weather daily for all stops along your route. This will prevent you from being surprised by unexpected changes to the forecast. Plus, the weather alerts will help you decide if the conditions are too risky to continue traveling on the same course. You might be forced to go in a different direction, which is good to know if you’re on a deadline.

Use protection from the sun

Just because you’re sitting inside your truck’s cab doesn’t mean you are protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Driving for long hours can pose some dangerous health risks besides accidents. The left side of a truck driver’s body is always susceptible to sunburn and odd tan lines. So, it takes the biggest toll from those sunny afternoons in the summer months. It’s smart to wear a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and long-sleeve shirts to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.

Stay hydrated

Even sitting inside an air-conditioned cab, a trucker must stay hydrated in extremely hot weather conditions. It’s important to travel with multiple bottles of water to stay hydrated. Your target goal is to drink approximately eight glasses of water each day, so make sure you have this amount plus an emergency supply.

Watch out for more vehicles on the road

During the summer months, truck drivers can expect more vehicles on the roads than at any other point of the year. Millions of Americans are expected to travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Many of those drivers are traveling in unfamiliar surroundings, which can lead to erratic driving behaviors. Unfortunately, this means the roads are far less safe for truckers everyone. To avoid a serious accident, you must stay alert at all times and be aware of other drivers’ actions around your vehicle.

Use extra caution in work zones

You can expect more roadwork and maintenance to take place during the summer, even at night. All truckers must drive with great caution when traveling through a work zone as the potential to hit a pedestrian is greater. The fines for all moving violations (speeding and other erratic driving behaviors) are often doubled or tripled within a work zone.

Be careful when checking your cargo

Because the weather is bound to be nicer, you may feel like stopping a little more often to check your cargo. Make sure to pull over to a safe area like a rest stop or parking lot before doing this. You should also use safety equipment when accessing your trailer, rather than climbing up and down using the tires. A trailer safety ladder is the perfect tool to help you when checking, loading, and unloading cargo. You can find high-quality options that have grips on the steps that will help you stay safe even in rainy weather.

The Deckmate Ladder from Gateway Supply

Gateway Supply in Pampa, Texas is the U.S. supplier of the Deckmate Ladder. Made with truck drivers in mind, this ladder is portable, made of high-quality materials, and is easy to use and store. Call us at (806) 440-1126 with any questions you may have or Contact Us via email to learn more about our Products.