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Keep Calm & Cool With These Three Summer Driving Tips

Posted in Blog  
Monday, June 27, 2016

In the Midwest, winter driving gets a lot of attention when it comes to truck driving tips. Unfortunately, summer months often get overlooked when it comes to tips, tricks, & safety. In reality, this season brings extreme heat, heavier traffic, dehydration, and exhaustion.

It is especially important to keep these tips in mind as you head out for summer drives:

1. Stay Hydrated - This is a year-round truth, but especially important during the summer. The heat can easily make you drowsy and tired. By keeping yourself hydrated, you’ll feel more alert and energized.

It is a common rule of thumb to drink half your bodyweight (in ounces) each day. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water per day. It may be tempting to skip the water in order to cut out restroom stops, but the alternatives of heat stroke and exhaustion are much worse.

2. Protect Your Skin - ‘Truckers arm’ may be funny to look at, but prolonged exposure to the sun is extremely dangerous in the long term. Make sure you lather up the sun block on your arms and face. Also, remember that applying sun block in the morning does not mean you can forget about it for the rest of the day. You should reapply a few times per day. It is also important to keep in mind that skin damage can occur even on cloudy days.

3. Check Your Tires - Under-inflated tires will wear quicker in the heat, and can be hazardous to your drive. The combination of heat and under-inflation can drastically increase the chances of a blowout. Be sure to check your tire pressure frequently throughout your route.
 

Happy Driving!