The official first day of summer is just around the corner, but in many places across the country, the season is already in full swing. Although you won’t be encountering any more icy roads or freezing nights, summer brings different challenges that can affect any trucker. Heavy traffic, large construction projects, and extreme weather can add time to your routes and impact deliveries. Keep reading to find out 5 summer trucking tips to make your travel safe and easy this season.
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Extra Traffic
With the kids out of school, many families pack up their cars, campers, trailers, and RVs and hit the road on annual family vacations. Driving cross country with overly-packed vehicles, and cars hauling extra gear in tow, adds to the congestion on the roads. Keep alert for out of state license plates and under-experienced drivers who might be hauling a trailer or camper for the first time.
Plan ahead for these extra drivers by budgeting in more time on the road, or by rerouting yourself away from tourist hotspots all together to keep your deliveries on track.
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Construction
In some areas, summertime is also known as “major road construction” time. Prepare for road closures and traffic jams due to construction by double-checking routes for construction delays and planning alternate paths when possible. Looking ahead can save you time and money.
Watch out for “Construction Zone” signs and workers alongside the road. Violations in work zones can result in big fines, so keep an eye on your speed and be extra cautious this time of year.
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Extreme Weather
Summer doesn’t just mean hotter temperatures. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes are all more likely during the summer, on top of extreme heat. These conditions can be dangerous and impede your deliveries if you’re caught off guard.
Make sure you’ve got a good weather app, and that notifications are set for when weather conditions are changing. If you need to pull off somewhere unexpectedly, be prepared. Waiting out a storm is a lot easier when you’ve got extra water and supplies in your truck.
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Sun Protection
Although it’s good practice to wear sunscreen year round, UV rays are the most potent during summer months. Even when it’s cloudy, you can still get a serious burn! Being in the sun all day can have a significant impact on your health, and sunscreen is an easy solution.
Make it a habit to put on a good layer of SPF before you get in the driver’s seat each day. Try to wear long sleeves, sunglasses, and a hat. Your skin will thank you later!
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Take Frequent Breaks
A five minute break could be the one thing between your truck and a costly accident. The heat of the summer months makes it especially important to schedule yourself time to pull off and rehydrate, stretch, or just rest your eyes.
It can be tempting to push through and complete your deliveries as fast as possible, but the benefits of a short break outweigh any time saved. With an increase of drivers on the road, extreme weather conditions, and changing traffic patterns, trucking in the summer is no joke!
