When you graduate from truck driving school and obtain your CDL, you will be ready to get your first job as a commercial truck driver. If your first truck driving job requires you to drive longer distances, you may find yourself driving during the day and nighttime hours. In order to remain safe on the road, it is important to practice proper driving and alertness techniques during overnight drives. Read on for some essential tips for remaining alert during your overnight driving experiences.
Get Plenty of Sleep
When you embark on an overnight drive, it is important to make sure that you are well rested beforehand. To avoid fatigue during late night drives, you will want to get at least six hours of sleep before you set off on your journey. If it is difficult for you to get a full night’s sleep when you are driving overnight, even a short nap can help to raise your alertness.
Avoid Pushing Your Limits
In order to make sure that you are fully alert and awake during your overnight drives, you will want to avoid pushing your limits of alertness. When you begin to feel very drowsy or sleepy, this is a sign that you will want to pull off of the road. Rest stops are typically available at regular intervals along the road, so you will easily be able to find a place to pull off and take a nap.
Take Plenty of Breaks
When you drive continuously for a long stretch of time, your body and mind will naturally begin to fatigue. This effect can be even greater during the nighttime hours. To help yourself feel refreshed and awake, it is essential to take plenty of breaks. When you take a break, it is a great idea to get out of your truck and walk around, stretch, or perform some other form of movement.
At HDS Truck Driving Institute, our knowledgeable instructors can help you become a successful truck driver. If you are studying for your CDL, you will want to enroll in our Tucson CDL school and take one of our highly rated truck driving courses. To hear more about enrollment, call us at (877) 205-2141.
