5 Ways Truck Drivers Can Stay Alert During the Night

Long-haul truck drivers will tell you that driving a truck can be exhausting. When you are on the road, driving hundreds of miles at a time, you are bound to get tired. Most trucking companies have rules in place to ensure drivers get enough sleep. However, driving throughout the night is not an easy task. 

The roads are not as visible when it’s dark. Therefore, drivers need to be on top of their game and fully alert while driving at night. Here are some tips to help you do just that. 

Take a Nap Before Your Shift

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of power naps. Napping for as little as 15 to 20 minutes before your shift can give you a burst of energy and increase your motor performance. 

However, we recommend you nap for 30 to 60 minutes, which is also known as slow-wave sleep. Not only does a longer nap increase alertness, but it aids in decision-making, recalling directions, and re-energizes your brain to make it function more efficiently. 

You may wonder, why not just have coffee instead of taking a nap? Well, while caffeine may give you that immediate jolt of energy, it leads to decreased memory performance, leaving you prone to making mistakes. Therefore, opting for a nap is a smarter choice. 

Perform Safety Inspections Beforehand

At truck driving school you probably learned the importance of safety inspections as part of your instruction on safe driving tips . Before heading out on the road, inspection is a must. The inspection should include a comprehensive check of the truck from the braking system and wheels, to the cargo. 

Don’t wait until the last minute. You want to take your time when examining each part of the vehicle, so you don’t miss something. Perform the inspection at least two hours before you are set to hit the road, this way, your mind is at ease. 

Eat Light

The last thing you want to do is have a heavy meal before you hit the road. You will likely feel tired and sleepy even before the keys hit the ignition. You may even want to consider changing your eating habits from 2-3 larger meals a day to 4-5 smaller ones. 

Along with eating light, you want to make sure you are well hydrated. Water will help you stay awake and alert, so be sure to drink plenty of it while on the road. 

Keep the Temperature Down

You want to keep the cab temperature at a range that doesn’t lull you to sleep. In a warm environment, our body works overtime to maintain body temperature, which makes us tired. Therefore, keep the temperature low enough so that you are cool but comfortable. If the outside temperature is nice, your best bet is to lower the windows. The wind and noise from the road will also help to keep you up and alert. 

Limit Distractions

Your main focus should always be the road, therefore, you want to limit distractions as much as possible. Listening to an audiobook or talk show on a long-haul drive may seem like a good idea, however, after a while, it will get tiresome. Instead, find a good mix of music that won’t distract you and will keep you up. 

Furthermore, you want to limit the use of your phone and devices, including fiddling with the navigation system, while driving. Use them only when necessary, or when you are on a break. 

Final Thoughts

Being a truck driver is not easy. Driving for 10-12 hours and in the dark is tasking, especially if you don't prepare for it. It is important to rest up, eat well, and perform a thorough inspection of the truck before you head out on the road at night. After all, your safety and health should be your top priority. 

If you’re thinking of joining the trucking industry, Professional Transport Driver Training School can help. You can inquire online or call us at 204-925-1580 to learn more about our programs and how you can begin your career as a truck driver.