Susie Jones
A truck drivers guide to summer in Europe
Created: 01.08.2024
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Updated: 15.08.2024
With temperatures rising in the Europe, summer is officially on its way. Whilst warmer weather is a welcome change for many, it can pose new challenges for truck drivers. Sweltering heat, increased traffic, and other seasonal factors can make truckers' jobs more demanding.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom - Europe is vibrant during summer and offers picturesque scenery, cultural events, and iconic landmarks. This guide will help you stay safe in the heat.
Staying safe inside the cab
While you may think being inside the cab will keep you from the sun's dangers, it can be just as harmful.
• Stay hydrated: Your body will lose fluids during hot temperatures, leading to dehydration, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep fluid levels up. Check out our tips for staying healthy on the road
• Wear suncream: High UV rays through the driver’s side window can cause sunburn - also known as trucker's tan. Wear suncream, a hat, or a long-sleeve shirt for protection
• Air conditioning: An ally for many truckers. However, use with caution. Getting out of a cool cab and into hot weather can be harmful
• Sunglasses: Sun bearing down on the tarmac causes glare for drivers. Invest in a pair of sunglasses to keep your vision glare-free
• Blankets: Many trucks have leather seating which can get extremely hot under the sun’s rays. Keep your seats cool by placing a blanket on them - use lightly coloured blankets to avoid attracting and absorbing the sun.
Staying safe outside the cab
Although a lot of time is spent inside the cab, drivers must protect themselves from the sun when working outside.
• Suncream: As stated, it’s vital to wear suncream inside and outside of the cab
• Take breaks: You may need more breaks while unloading in warmer temperatures. Find the perfect place to stop for a break via the intruck app or our locations page.
• Dress for the heat: Wear temperature-appropriate clothing like shorts and t-shirts.
Preparing your truck
In the warmer weather, your truck will need some TLC too. Rising temperatures can lead to issues with your HGV, especially if you don’t keep an eye out for these common issues:
• Tires: As the weather gets hotter, the risk of a blowout increases. Although there is not much you can do to stop this, it’s worthwhile to check tires are properly inflated to manufacturers’ specifications
• Engine oil: Without engine oil, the engine can overheat and damage the truck
• Antifreeze: Check your antifreeze levels to ensure your air con stays working
• Brakes: Hot temperatures can cause brake fading. Ensure you check your brakes regularly.
External factors
During the summer, truck drivers need to be mindful of external factors that could present new challenges. Although these factors are out of their hands, they can take extra measures to stay safe.
• Other drivers: Long-haul drives and summer holidays are common at this time of year - leading to increased traffic on the roads. Much of this traffic may be unfamiliar with their routes and could make sudden and unsafe moves. Truckers must consider this and be extra cautious of those around them
• Roadworks: Better weather brings more civil engineers on the roads doing construction work. Construction zones will be more congested, making manoeuvring difficult. Drivers should plan their routes ahead of time and factor in extra travel time to account for increased traffic.
• Weather: The weather can be extremely unpredictable in Europe. Warm spells are often followed by rain or storms. Weather reports can help you plan your journey.
The summer months pose unique challenges for truck drivers and being inside the cab doesn't make them any less susceptible to heat. Drivers must stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to cool down. Wearing lightweight breathable clothing will help with rising temperatures, and frequent checks on trucks will prevent unexpected maintenance. Although many drivers dread the hot weather, following the above tips will make driving more enjoyable.
How do truckers stay entertained?
Combating boredom is a challenge for many truck drivers - long hours, countless petrol stations, and rest areas can become tedious. Drivers must alleviate this to improve their well-being, job satisfaction, and road safety.
How many hours a day do truckers drive?
To comply with tachograph regulations, truck drivers can drive up to nine hours a day. However, this can increase to 10 but no more than twice in a fixed week. Daily driving time can be defined as: • The total accumulated driving time between the end of a daily rest period and the beginning of the following daily rest period
• The total accumulated driving time between a daily rest period and a weekly rest period.
Learn more about tachograph regulations.
How do truck drivers exercise?
Although exercising on the road can be a challenge for truckers, many find ways to adapt regular exercise to suit their lifestyle. Some drivers carry around weights, resistance bands, and even folding bicycles to remain fit and healthy. In the absence of exercise equipment, truckers can get the necessary exercise by walking or following workouts tailored to their needs. Schneider Jobs has a comprehensive list of simple workouts for drivers.