You may have years of experience as a trucker, but don’t underestimate the hazards of night driving. Depending on your schedule, you may be carrying cargo along the road for hours in darkness. While navigating the typical hazards that come along with hauling materials, you must now add another set of safety skills to your routine.
Before you start your next night route, here’s a reminder of three ways to drive safely through the night.
- Rest well before driving
While driving at night, it can feel quite tempting to close your eyes. If you’re new to night driving, this temptation can be even greater. Plan your rest time with limited distractions and make sure that your body feels rested. A rested driver is a safe driver. - Clean your windshield
The dust, squashed insects, and all of the other particles on your windshield can quickly build up and create a visibility problem. While driving at night, the reflection from other lights on the road can also hurt your view. Clean your windshield often, and don’t forget to replace windshield wipers, too. - Don’t stare into oncoming traffic
Stay focused on the road — not the lights of the oncoming traffic. Over time, this light exposure could temporarily damage your retina. Try to keep your eyes moving instead of staring directly into the lights.
If at any time you feel that you can no longer safely view the road, take a break. It’s best to drive when you feel conditions are most safe. When you’re ready for your next drive at night, contact Reliable Permit Solutions. While helping you secure the proper permits for overweight/oversize loads, superloads, and other needs, we can also connect you with a pilot car company to schedule an escort. Call us today.