Listen to The Advice of These Truck Drivers!
Well, taking a road trip seemed such an obvious choice when it comes to the safest alternatives during the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, this is if you actually want to travel at all. However, spending hours, or days, just driving can prove to be quite mentally taxing. Moreover, automobile accidents are a real concern, especially these days.
As a matter of fact, almost 2 million people are injured in car accidents every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that drowsy driving might have caused no less than 91,000 accidents in 2017.
Moreover, it seems that nodding off while driving can definitely happen more easily than you might even think, especially when you’re on the road for long periods of time. That’s also why you might want to find the proper strategies to keep you alert and safe when driving.
We managed to tap into long-haul truck drivers for their best safety tips. After all, is there anyone more prepared out there than the people who constantly drive for hours on end? Here’s what you should know!
Plan your itinerary
Everyone we talked to agreed on one thing: mapping out the specifics of your road trip is by far the best way to eliminate stress and avoid hazards when driving. Too many people would rather plug their destination into Google Maps while driving, without any genuine idea about when and where they really want to make pit stops, as Jo-Anne Philips, 52, who has been driving trucks for over 30 years, explained.
There’s really nothing wrong with using GPS to give you an idea. The best way to prepare is simply by figuring out how long it will take you to get from point A to point B. Then, try to look for recreation areas, restrooms, and even dining along the way so you’ll never feel lost.
You can also go by using Google Maps or the GPS system of your choice. Kellylynn McLaughlin, 56, advises stopping at popular nationwide truck stops such as Pilot Flying J since she finds that they are often clean and well-stocked with anything you can imagine.
“I would rather stick to chains,” she said. Even if planning ahead is a wonderful idea, Tracy Gaudette, 54, a professional truck driver of five years, says you shouldn’t necessarily feel restricted by your itinerary. “It also doesn’t mean that you’re deadlocked into that,” she told SELF.
Eat, sleep, and hydrate very well
So many people prefer staying up late packing before a big trip. However, it’s also important to “be well rested before you really get behind that wheel,” as Philips explained. You should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night (research shows that people who are 18 to 65 feel their best after getting enough rest).
Well, then there’s the food aspect. Gaudette always wants to make sure she eats a proper meal before starting her drive. She also prefers a protein-heavy breakfast, such as an omelet, to help her feel more satisfied and alert.
Phillips takes plenty of fruits, salads, and already-grilled protein in a cooler on her road trips since those foods make her feel her best. She also explained that preparing food that can be kept in a cooler is especially helpful for people who don’t want to stop eating at restaurants because of COVID-19.
Naturally, what you want is to find somewhere safe to enjoy your snacks and meals, such as a rest stop or a parking lot, since eating while also driving is a distraction.
Stop often
You could try to derive your destination with minimal pit stops. Make sure you resist the temptation, since every driver we spoke to admitted that it was fairly important to stop every two or three hours to stretch and go to the bathroom.
It’s advised to stop about every 150 miles give or take. Gaudette also said that moving and getting her circulation helps her stay alert during long drives. Naturally, you should always stop if you get tired. Avoid pulling over onto the shoulder (other cars might not really realize you have stopped), and look for a parking lot or hotel room instead.
Scan your surroundings
Probably the most difficult part is boredom and drowsiness. If you are not really used to it, it can truly suck you in. Listening to audiobooks and checking the rearview and side mirrors are two bullet-proof ways to reduce the chances of zoning out.
McLaughlin constantly checks her surroundings to avoid getting the “staresies.” At times, she transforms it into a game. While keeping an eye on the road up ahead, she also seeks animals on the side of the road, monitoring her gauges, and scanning the mirrors.
Get to know road signs
Understanding road signage is by far one of the best ways to boost your confidence about highway driving. If you are able to train your eye to read the signs and know what they mean, then you can go down these roads confidently.
For instance, construction signs have an orange background and will always trump other signage. Yellow signs are cautionary. You can easily check out the U.S. Department of Transportation for additional information about road symbols and signs.
Make your car road-trip-ready
Make sure your car is well-maintained before taking any long trips. This also includes up-to-date oil changes, recent battery checks, and all the needed tire rotations, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ”
Also, try to go to a trusted place and have them look at your car. It would take a mechanic around 20 minutes to do a general overall check,” Duncan explained. She also advised keeping extra emergency supplies, such as windshield washer fluid, motor oil, snow brush, and blankets, in your trunk.
If you drive a rental car, Duncan advises getting acquainted with the vehicle in a parking lot so you feel more comfortable operating that particular model.
Make room for more trucks
Chances are you might encounter large trucks, especially when driving on your trip. Everyone agreed that it’s fairly important to allow plenty of following room when driving behind these massive machines. “Give us some space. Don’t ride right next to us; we won’t be able to see you. Our blind spots are humongous.”
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, you shouldn’t be so close that you can read a truck’s license plate. Comas also said you need to leave enough space so that you can see both of the truck’s side mirrors.
While you might be anxious to get in front of a slow-moving vehicle, never cut in front of large trucks. A truck traveling at highway speeds in regular conditions might require a further distance of two football fields to stop safely.
Now, we do want to emphasize that long-haul truckers ride thousands of miles of road every year. Automatically, they encounter every single type of driver and condition you can imagine. Their experience teaches us that safety isn’t really about following the rules, or at least not just that.
It’s also about awareness, patience, and respect for everyone on the road. Whether you take a short trip or embark on a long journey, adopting these trucking tips can make all the difference.
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: My Dad’s a Mechanic: 8 Important Car Maintenance Projects He Swears Are Worth Every Cent
