Stay Safe This Summer: Heat Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Stay Safe This Summer: Heat Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

It’s not even July yet, but a heat dome across much of the country has made temperatures hotter than normal for June. Excessive heat brings new hazards affecting your vehicle, your tires, and even your vision. Here is how to protect yourself, your rig, and those with whom you share the road.

Tire Pressure

When it comes to safe driving in hot weather, tires should be a top priority. Heat amplifies the effects of under-inflation, making blowouts more likely. The road surface can be up to 50 degrees hotter than the air, so properly inflated tires are important.

Here are some tips to help with tire pressure problems:

• Keep all tires inflated to 100 PSI cold.

• Under-inflation causes 80% of tire failures.
• Just 10 PSI under-inflated can mean:
• Ten percent lost tread life
• One percent decrease in MPG
• Irregular wear, reduced traction, and accelerated internal fatigue.

Inspect and gauge your tires daily. A good pre-trip every morning can save you from a delay later.

Extreme Heat = Extra Equipment Stress

Summer heat can put tremendous strain on your equipment. Brakes may lose effectiveness, engines can overheat quickly, and cooling systems work harder than ever.

Aside from your tires, perform regular checks on:

• Brake condition
• Coolant levels
• Air conditioning and ventilation
• Battery health

Keeping your equipment in peak condition helps avoid breakdowns and keeps you on schedule.

Protect Your Eyes

Long hours behind the wheel, combined with intense summer sunlight and glare, can wear your eyes out fast. Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and help prevent eye strain and long-term damage, especially important during early morning and late evening hours when glare is at its worst.

Watch Out for Distracted Drivers

Summer brings families, tourists, and students onto the road with phones, snacks, or navigation apps in hand. Distracted drivers are everywhere. Watch for erratic speeds, drifting across lane lines, and delayed reactions. If you spot a distracted driver, give them plenty of space and avoid driving beside them for long.

Summer’s no joke for professional truck drivers, but with preparation and attention, you can stay cool and safe on the road.