Driving at night can be challenging on the body. The natural circadian rhythm that regulates sleep-wake cycles make driving at night particularly difficult. Driving at night, however, is not impossible, and following a few safety tips can make it easier. Here at White’s International Trucks, we have locations serving all of North Carolina, and we help drivers get into new rigs each day.
Eat a Light Meal
If you are planning to drive heavy-duty trucks overnight, now is not the time to eat a heavy meal of steak and potatoes. Plan to have a light meal that won’t make you sluggish before the trip. A salad or some soup or a small sandwich is best. Of course, you will need to fuel your body, but steer clear of excess calories that will make you sleepy.
Get Some Sleep
In the day leading up to the trip, try to sleep as much as possible to recharge your body. While you may not be able to completely reset your internal clock by sleeping the day before, you won’t be overly drowsy on your overnight trip. It may help if you practice sleeping during the day a few days prior to your overnight trip. As always, if you feel drowsy while you’re driving at night, don’t hesitate to pull over for a nap.
Clean Your Windshield
Night driving is hard on the eyes, and driving with a dirty windshield makes it even more of a challenge. Be sure to clean your windshield periodically to ensure that you have a clear view of the road.
Crank up the Tunes
Good music can keep you awake and focused on the task at hand. Crank up the radio and play your favorite jams to keep you energized through the ride. Music stimulates the activity centers in the brain and is effective at keeping you awake so that you can keep driving.
Turn on the AC
Don’t allow yourself to get overly warm, as this can cause drowsiness. A blast of cold air from the air conditioner will do wonders to wake you and help you to stay focused on the task at hand.
Avoid Distractions
While it may be tempting to engage in a long phone call to pass the time, driving while distracted will only make your night driving more dangerous. Put down the phone and focus on the drive.
When it comes to driving at night, following a few simple tips will make the roads safer for everyone. Here at White’s International Trucks, we serve all of North Carolina, and we help truckers like you get into new heavy-duty trucks every day. Stop into our showroom today.
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