As summer sets in across North America, trucking professionals will be as busy as ever. Even though the United States has different climates from north to south and east to west, there’s no real escape from the sun’s stress when you’re on the road.
Thankfully, you can have a more comfortable and safe summer on the road by following a few simple steps. Below are some summer travel tips for trucking professionals:
1. Monitor Your Air Pressure
In the summer, the warm air and hot road surface temperatures can affect tire air pressure. Hotter temperatures often lead to an increase in air pressure, and this can cause trouble for rigs with damaged tires. Increased air pressure in some tires but not others may also affect performance and fuel efficiency.
While checking your air pressure regularly is a matter or preventative maintenance, drivers are encouraged to pay extra attention when driving in hotter climates. If you have any onboard monitoring systems, make sure they are maintained and functioning before hitting the road.
2. Take Care of Yourself
Even though air conditioning can keep you cool in the cab, many truckers find themselves outside in the heat for long periods. This could be due to stops at truck centers or while waiting to be loaded or unloaded.
In any case, make sure you stay hydrated. Also, wear light, protective clothing and sunscreen if you’re going to be outdoors for an extended period of time. Exposure to the sun’s rays can quickly sap your body of moisture, and no one wants to have to sit behind the wheel for hours aching from a sunburn.
3. Watch for Slick Spots
Summertime weather often means strong pop-up storms that occur when the hot and cool air in the atmosphere mix. This can lead to wet roads and dangerous driving conditions. Also, some roadways include the use of tar products that can melt and become slick in extreme heat.
To avoid accidents and injuries, pay extra attention to road conditions during the summer. Just like with ice in the winter, slick roads can reduce braking ability and may make it more difficult to control a truck at high speeds.
Additional credit:
https://app.thetruckersnetwork.net/summer-safety-tips-for-semi-truck-drivers/
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