How Truck Drivers Can Stay Safe When Driving At Night

The live of a truck driver can be a fantastic one, but it does come with its fair share of risks, and one of the biggest can come from driving at night. As the summer starts to draw to a close, the days will start getting dark earlier and earlier, and that means more drivers than ever will find themselves out there in the dark.

So, what risks does driving through the darker nights bring, the team here at Walker Movements have put together some tips for what truck drivers can do to help themselves to stay safe on the roads at night.

Vehicle maintenance – headlights, wipers

Making sure that your vehicle is safe to drive has to be of paramount importance before you set off on any journey. Don’t wait until the sun starts to set to discover that a bulb in your headlights has gone – make sure all of your lights are working and clear of frost or snow before you go anywhere. Visibility can be severely compromised at night if it starts to rain or snow, so you also need to check that your wipers are working and in good condition to keep your windscreen clear.

Driving speeds

One of the main reasons that so many goods journeys are undertaken at night is because there is less traffic around, meaning that the roads are quieter and there are less delays. An empty carriageway in front of you can sometimes make it tempting to put your foot down, but these are actually the times when you should be lowering your driving speeds. At night, it can be harder to see hazards, meaning that you will need more time to spot something and react to it. Lowering your driving speed can save you a few precious seconds which could be the difference between life and death.

Following distances

If your truck needs to stop in a hurry, then you need to ensure that there is sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This can mean reducing your following distances, which will give you a better chance to stop without jackknifing.

Take a break

Any amount of time on the road is sure to make you start feeling tired, but this can become even worse at night as the body starts to respond to the darkness that is around it. A tired truck driver is a dangerous truck driver and the truck itself can be a deadly weapon, so if you feel as though you are starting to become drowsy then it is important to take a break. Pull over to somewhere safe and try to get some rest if you are able to. It is also a good opportunity to walk round in the fresh air, grab a coffee and get something to eat, as these can all help to wake you up ready for the next part of your journey.

You should also make sure that you stay hydrated while you are driving, as a lack of water can impact on how awake and alert you feel. Fizzy drinks and caffeine can give you a short term boost, but this can quickly dip, so maintaining sensible hydration levels with water is often the best way to keep yourself going.

Night time work is defined by law as driving goods vehicles between midnight and 4am and certain rules have to be applied to this. If work takes place during this time then the driver must not work more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period.

Safe resting spots

Taking a break at night can leave a lot of truck drivers feeling vulnerable, so you need to choose your spot wisely. If you can, pick a dedicated truck stop that is protected with security and CCTV, as this will act as a good deterrent to criminals. If this is not an option, choose somewhere well lit, and preferably close to other trucks for a safety in numbers. Make sure that the cab of your truck is thoroughly locked, especially if you are resting in it and activate any alarms that you might have.

Stay aware

At night there can be very little on the road to keep your brain active. There are very few cars, no scenery and just a long, black expanse in front of you, which can cause your brain to drift. However, it is also a night when you are more likely to get drink drivers, stray animals and pedestrians in dark clothing that could all cause an accident. It is therefore important that you are not only awake, but aware as well, so that you are in a position to anticipate problems before they happen and react to them if you need to.

Distractions

There can be a lot of distractions in the cab of your truck, and these can be heightened at night. The mobile phone is the biggest distraction for most drivers, so try to put it on silent or ‘do not disturb’ to prevent calls and notifications from dragging your eyes and your mind away from the road.

A lot of trucks also have an array of lights in the cab, which can sometimes make it difficult to see at night. Make sure that you turn off any lights that you don’t need, dim your dashboard lights and put your GPD on night mode to make it easier for you to focus.

Technology

Whilst technology can be a distraction in the cab of a lorry, it can also be a huge benefit. Things like dashcams, blind spot monitors, lane departure warnings and safe braking systems can all go a long way towards making your driving a lot safer at night.

It is important to remember that driving at night is an art form, and it needs to be taken very seriously. As a truck driver, you need to take all of the steps possible to keep yourself and other road users safe when driving at night, and following these simple tips can do a lot to help you achieve this.