Many aspiring truck drivers dream of being out on the open road or enjoying the peace and solitude that driving at night can bring. However, it is also important to remember that there are a number of safety concerns for any truck driver who is out at night. There are many precautions that any driver can take to ensure their safety and keep them happy and healthy during their journey.
In this article, FleetEx take a look at some of the essential tips for staying safe whilst driving a truck at night.
Preparation is key
If you know that you are going to be driving through the night, then it is important to make sure that you are properly prepared. This should start by planning out your route so that you are not only looking at the quickest and most efficient route but also keeping an eye out for any road closures that may take place at night. This can help to avoid any unnecessary delays and stop you from getting lost or having to drive your truck on roads that are not suitable at night.
You also need to think about the things that you need in the truck with you as you are driving. This can include things to make you comfortable when you take a break, snacks, drinks, paperwork, and any essential items such as battery packs or maintenance tools. Try to put together a checklist of everything you think you will need during the journey to make sure you are as fully prepared as possible.
Vehicle checks
Before setting off on any journey, you should make sure that you perform a number of checks to ensure the safety of your vehicle. This can involve checking the condition of the tyres, making sure that everything is working and ensuring that your load is secured. Taking a truck out on the road that is not safe can have disastrous consequences, so it is important that you have checked the vehicle thoroughly and ensure that any necessary maintenance is carried out before you start your journey.
Nutrition
A long shift means that you need to make sure you have plenty to eat and drink during that time. However, this does not mean just grabbing the nearest chocolate bar and fizzy drink, as it is important to consider proper nutrition. When we eat anything that is high in sugar, we will naturally get a buzz of energy from it, but this can wear off quickly and suddenly, allowing our energy levels to crash.
When this happens, it is very easy to become sleepy, especially when you are out at night, and this is when serious accidents can happen. It is therefore important to look at healthier, nutritious foods that slowly release energy to help keep you adequately stimulated throughout your drive without the risk of any energy crashes.
It is also important to remember that eating a lot of food can also make us sleepy. This means that any snacks or meals that you take with you should be light, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates in order to help maintain your concentration.
Getting plenty of rest
It is important that you prepare your body for driving at night. Your natural sleep cycle will make you feel tired at the same time every night, and this can become dangerous if you are out on the road. You therefore need to make sure that you adjust your sleep schedule to help you remain awake and alert during your shift, which means you may need to introduce some new sleep routines to your lifestyle.
Avoiding glare
Nighttime driving can present a number of different hazards, and one of the more unexpected ones is the amount of glare that you might suffer. Streetlights and bright headlights can cause a lot of glare, so it is important to make sure that your windows are clean and any corrective lenses that you wear have anti-glare protection. This will ensure that you have a clear view of the road ahead of you at all times.
Parking safely
If you need to take a break while you are driving at night, then it is important that you choose somewhere safe to stop. Ideally, this should be at a designated truck stop where other drivers are likely to be. If this is not possible, then you need to ensure that you are somewhere which is well-lit and has plenty of people around it in order to help keep you safe while you rest.
Nighttime traffic
Typically, the roads around the UK tend to be much quieter at night and this can mean that driving is a little less stressful as there are not as many delays or potential hazards. However, this can mean that your concentration can lapse at times and so you need to keep a close eye on your speed and make sure that you remain a safe distance behind any other vehicles on the road. Even if you are awake and alert, there are no guarantees that everyone else is, and so you need to be prepared for all eventualities.
Wildlife
Animals can be another problem for truck drivers who are out at night. Dusk and dawn are when many wild animals start to venture out and so you may find yourself faced with a fox, badger or even a deer in the road in front of you.
Collisions with wild animals can be very dangerous as well as upsetting, so it is important that you follow speed limits and make sure that you are cautious on any roads, but particularly those surrounded by woods or farmland. If possible, try lowering your dashboard light so that you can see the headlights reflected in the eyes of the animals, as this will give you more time to maneuver the vehicle.
Driving at night can be much more enjoyable, but it presents a whole new set of risks and hazards that you need to be aware of in order to keep yourself safe.
