From scorching heat to heavy construction and summer traffic, hauling during the summer is a headache.
You’re an experienced driver, but you never know where your route (or summer construction detours) will take you. Here’s a list of tips and pointers to remember during your summer drives.
Wear sunscreen
You know how your left arm is more tan than your right? Well make sure that arm isn’t as red as our FCC trucks: wear sunscreen. It’s a good habit and an easy way to lower your chances of developing skin cancer.
Invest in polarized sunglasses
Drivers know how nasty sun glare can be on the roads or in your windshield, especially during morning and evening times. A good pair of polarized sunglasses is a relatively cheap way to prevent disaster.
Check traffic reports and be wary of inexperienced drivers
The summer season means road congestion. There are more vacationers, kids are out of school and road construction funnels all of this increased traffic on to clogged roadways. Frequently monitor traffic reports before and throughout your drive. Consider downloading the free Google Maps app to your phone as the app constantly monitors and updates traffic conditions.
You might have to do some digging, but many cities and states have real-time construction maps on their transportation website. Check these before you start your trip and try to find adequate detours to avoid congestion and the problems that come with it.
Always keep an eye out for inexperienced drivers, whether it be young drivers or vacationing drivers unfamiliar to the area. Young drivers have less experience with trucks on the road and vacationers can be unpredictable; one missed turn could lead to an abrupt lane change or stoppage.
Monitor weather
Summer is also severe weather season, something you should always try to avoid. Heavy wind can tip your truck, heavy rain can blind, hail is menacing and tornados and hurricanes wreak havoc. Weather patterns can change abruptly during your hauls. Activate your phone’s weather app notifications and keep your location constantly turned on to receive updates on weather patterns throughout the day. When stopped, plan ahead and check the weather conditions for the regions that lie ahead to avoid severe weather.
Stay Hydrated
While you should always stay hydrated while driving, this is especially important in the summer. Your air conditioning can only help so much and with the sun bearing down and magnifying through your windows, it’s going to get to you eventually. Staying hydrated with cold water is a great way to not only improve your health but minimize your possibility of heat stroke.
Monitor your trucks condition
We know you’re truck-savvy, we’re just here to remind you. Scorching road temperatures affect tire pressure and can cause blowouts if not taken care of. Also be wary of overheating, especially when hauling heavy loads, and slow down when traveling uphill to avoid engine overheating. With the traffic, construction and severe weather, it is essential that your rig is operating at 100 percent.
Motorcycles
Summer weather offers motorcyclists the chance to enjoy the open road. Like you, motorcyclists experience dangerous situations caused by apathetic drivers on the road. To safely share the road with motorcyclists, double check your blind spots when changing lanes or turning and keep an extra-safe following distance as motorcycles can stop on a dime.
Urban areas
It’s always best to stay alert and on your toes in urban areas. Like highways, sidewalks, crosswalks and public spaces become more congested in the summertime. Summer also means more bicyclists, and they don’t always abide by road laws. In addition, many bicyclists continue to bike through crosswalks and move at a faster pace than pedestrians.
Choose driving times carefully
You want to choose your driving times carefully or alter them all together. Take breaks and recharge during the morning, noon, and evening rush hours. If you’re up for it, driving at night offers you the opportunity to avoid the heat, traffic, construction and all the road rage that comes with it.
Update your emergency kit
Periodically check your emergency kit to ensure everything is there and nothing is expired. Keep it stocked with emergency first aid supplies, flares, water and non-perishable food items to ensure your safety in case of a breakdown.