5 Tips for Surviving the Summer: Summer Trucking Safety

Truck drivers are often warned about the dangers of trucking during the cold, winter months. But something that is often looked over is how the summer heat can also be a danger for truckers. Being on the roads during a long period of time while the sun beats down on you can definitely take a serious toll on your body. It is very important to take all the precautions possible to stay safe and healthy. You must think of the long-term, as well as short-term effects that the heat can have on your body. Luckily for you, we have compiled five things you may not have thought of to stay safe while trucking in the summertime!

1. Sunscreen is an absolute MUST!

   If you are not applying and reapplying sunscreen during your trips, it is never too late to start! Sun damage for truckers is very real. Even in the winter months, applying sunscreen to your face, hands, arms, and any body part that is exposed is essential.  Reapplying sunscreen every few hours is key. If you can’t find the time to reapply, you could always wear a visor, or invest in a sun sleeve!

2. Keep Plenty of Water in Your Cab

       Staying hydrated is very important year round. But you should make sure you carry multiple large water bottles in your cab especially in the summer. The sun can make you very fatigued. It is important to combat that by drinking plenty of water to keep from heat exhaustion. As well as preventing many other unwanted effects such as heat stroke, fainting, or dizziness. All of which can cause danger to yourself as well as the others on the road!

3. Make Fun Frozen Snacks!

       Nothing cools you off like a nutritious frozen snack! These can be easily made since there is no baking involved, and you can incorporate your favorite foods! Frozen yogurt bites for example, is a simple yet delicious recipe that can be made in 10 minutes! You will need:

• 1 cup fruit of choice, cut into small pieces as needed
• 2 tablespoons honey
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup of your favorite granola

       INSTRUCTIONS:

• Arrange 24 mini cupcake liners in a mini muffin tin, on a plate, or on a baking sheet and set aside.
• Make the fruit & yogurt filling: Add the fruit to a medium bowl and drizzle the honey over top. Mash the fruit with the honey, until the fruit is smashed, with small pieces remaining. Stir in the salt and Greek yogurt and mix until combined.
• Place a teaspoon or two of the granola in the bottom of each cupcake liner. Top with a spoonful of the frozen yogurt mixture. Pop a piece of fruit or a sprinkle of granola on top of the yogurt for a fun garnish.
•  Freeze at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

4. Be Aware of Heavier Traffic

       When summertime rolls around each year, families around the country love to take advantage of the season and be outside and travel as much as possible. Due to this, the traffic will unfortunately increase, creating a higher chance of an accident. This is why it is always important to stay hydrated as well. Hydration helps you stay awake, and causes your body and mind to be more alert on the road.

5. Make Sure Your Cab Stays Cool

       Keeping a cool cab will always improve your work environment. This can be achieved by using a sun shield as well as a steering wheel cover. When you leave your cab, make sure to leave the windows down to keep air circulating. Another great idea would be to invest in ventilated seats, as the truck seats do retain a lot of heat!

It’s no secret that the autumn months provide some of the most incredible scenic driving in the world. Whether that be in colonial New England or the Pacific Northwest, fall driving rewards operators with cooler weather and stunning foliage, an incredible combination for those who work on the road. With a new season upon us, we must also remember how that affects truck driving in terms of safety and common practice. From wildlife to foliage, each fall offers aspects unique to other seasons. Let’s take a look at four unique tips that will keep drivers safe in these cool-autumn months.

Watch Out For Leaves and Tree Debris

While the beautiful colored leaves offer gorgeous scenery, stationary leaves on road can create hazards dangerous to all drivers. Traffic hazards are serious issues and a patch of damp leaves can trigger accidents if drivers and operators are not paying close attention. What is the best way to handle areas of road covered in leaves? Slow down and approach carefully– avoid sudden braking and swerving.

Pay Attention For Wildlife

Deer and other large game animals are traditionally most active during the fall months. While some trucks may be equipped with protective guards, all drivers should be wary and cautious when driving through heavily wooded or deer populated areas. Most commonly active during the morning and evening, it is not uncommon to see deer alongside highways and roads alike. Keep an eye out for crossing signs and avoid sudden braking and swerving.

Weather Variation

The transition from fall to summer provides a welcomed cooling across the country. While most appreciate the cooler mornings and nights, it is crucial to remember significant daily weather variations can create hazards on the road. With many areas of the country experiencing the first freezing temperatures of the season, drivers need to be cautious of their surroundings and vehicle. Wind and rainstorms can trigger significant debris droppings from the changing foliage. If possible, look ahead at local weather and prepare accordingly.

Stay Aware of Sun Glare

With the sun setting earlier in the day across the country, it is crucial that drivers recognize and prepare for the risk of sun glare. Shorter days and daylight savings create sun glare, making it far more challenging to see pedestrians, road debris, other drivers, and more. In order to protect yourself and other drivers, keep your windshield clean and carry a pair of sunglasses at the ready.

Keeping these four tips in mind, make sure to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage while on the road. There simply is not another career which provides such a privilege and opportunity!

There have been a lot of new trucking industry trends to keep track of in 2020, especially when it comes to ensuring trucker safety. With COVID-19 dramatically changing the way our country runs, the efforts needed to be a safe trucker look a bit different than they usually do. 

To help drivers keep themselves and those around them healthy this summer, we’ve outlined a few things that define what safe trucking looks like in 2020.

Following the CDC’s COVID Safety Guidelines

When it comes to summer trucking safety in 2020, one of the most important things to do is follow the CDC’s safety guidelines for COVID prevention. According to the CDC website, being a safe trucker means:

• Limiting close contact with other people by maintaining six feet of distance 
• Wearing a cloth face covering or mask in public when staying six feet apart isn’t possible
• Frequently cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces you come into contact (door handles, steering wheel, seat belt, turn signal, etc.)
• Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds every time you enter or leave the cab
• Packing food, water, and supplies, so you don’t have to make as many stops on the road
• Wearing gloves whenever you venture outside of the truck

Here at Lily Transportation, there’s nothing more important than trucker safety. To support our drivers’ safety, we’ve equipped them with advanced cleaning supplies (like a lithium-ion sprayer that we use to clean and disinfect the interior of their trucks) to ensure nothing less than the safest working environments. 

Making Summer Trucking Safety a Priority

Looking beyond COVID, summer trucking comes with its own health and safety recommendations for truckers. The summer season can be unpredictable. You never know if you’ll be driving through a heatwave, rainstorm, or heavy winds. That’s why Lily Transportation provides its drivers with a collection of summer trucking safety tips and guidelines to help them embrace the safe trucker lifestyle.

Some of the most important ways a trucker can prioritize their safety include taking actions like:

• Checking the weather so you can prepare yourself for day’s travel
• Making sure you stay hydrated
• Having a healthy selection of snacks (fruits, veggies, trail mixes, granola, etc.) 
• Wearing sunscreen if it’s sunny outside (it’s still possible to get sunburnt even when you’re inside the truck for most of the day)
• Paying attention to traffic trends
• Maintaining the areas of your truck that are especially affected by the summer heat (cooling and air-conditioning systems, coolant levels, tires and tire pressure, and the brake system, for example)

Being a safe trucker in 2020 looks a bit different than it did in years prior, but with the truck driver safety tips and guidelines above, you can keep yourself strong, healthy, and ready for whatever the season throws your way.