How You Can Prepare For Hurricane Season

Every road veteran knows that it’s easy to find yourself stuck in inclement weather. Pop-up storms, blizzards, tornado warnings, and more can strike without a moment’s notice.

When you start the day a few states away in an area with perfect weather, it can be difficult to know what to expect along your route. Unfortunately, you can’t predict mother nature’s actions, but you can be prepared for when she strikes.

Hurricane Safety Tips For Truckers

Whether you are an over-the-road or a local driver, you should be prepared for any situation.

1. Prepare For High Winds

Before a hurricane hits, there will most likely be lots of strong winds, which is dangerous for drivers. Strong winds can pull and sometimes even flip your rig. If you are pulling dry vans or reefers, you are at a higher risk when it comes to high winds. Keep in mind that your rig can still be damaged even when parked.

2. Watch Out For Weather Warnings

Check weather conditions before and during your journey. Also, pay attention to weather warnings. If there is a state of emergency, you will want to take a different route or delaying shipment to affected areas. The U.S. Department of Transportations keeps track of road conditions and closing, so we highly recommend that you check there before pulling out.

3. Avoid High Water

This might seem like an obvious piece of advice, however, avoid driving through high water and don't assume that piles of debris are only branches. Hurricanes blow and float things around, so keep an eye on the oncoming road for any possible hazards. If you can’t see the road or you are unsure, stop your vehicles. The worst thing you can do it play through it. 

4. Bring Emergency Equipment

Whether you’re an over-the-road or local driver, you should carry emergency items in case you’re caught in a dire situation where these tools could save your life. Also if you find yourself stuck for a few hours or even a few days, these items could make a significant difference for your level of comfort.

Having bottles of water and non-perishable food items is essential. Canned food and packages of crackers will do the trick, just don’t forget your can opener. A fork may come in handy as well.

Bring an extra change of clothes and make sure you are switching out your change of clothes depending on the season. Always have a reflective vest so when you exit your truck others will see you.

With winter on its way, remember to have a hat that covers your ears, waterproof gloves, extra socks, and warm boots. Extra blankets are also great to have, including an electric one.

Other emergency items you should bring include:

• Utility knives 
• Flashlights 
• Batteries
• Extra phone battery or portable charger 
• Hand-crank radio
• Matches or a lighter
• Fully stocked first-aid kit
• Auxiliary power unit
• Portable heater
• Extra Fuel

Stay Safe Out There

Winter is coming, along with it hurricanes, storms, snow, and more! Be sure to be safe and prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store for us this season. Know what weather to expect during your routes and have the right tools in your cabin in the event of an emergency.

If you have more safety items to include or tips on how to drive a semi-truck sagely during inclement weather, please share them in the comment section below. For more trucking blogs click here and be sure to follow us on social for the latest news and trucking tips and tricks.

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Trucking Is The Most Dangerous Industry

It’s no secret that the road is an incredibly dangerous place. Not only for truckers but for all drivers. We’re tired of hearing about our nation’s truckers making early trips to the golden highway, but unfortunately, truck driving to the most dangerous profession in the nation.

The government’s workplace fatality census reported that truck driving is the most dangerous job, so we’re hoping to help improve conditions by spreading information on the dangers included with the trucking occupation.

The Dangers Of Trucking

Driving Distracted

You know what’s pretty entraining? Our Smartphones. In fact, they’re so much fun that some drivers can’t resist playing on them while on the road. When they are tweeting, taking pictures, posting updates, and more behind the wheel their eyes aren’t on the road, creating extremely dangerous situations.

Be sure to put your phone down or keep it in your pocket until you’re safely parked. To make or answer calls while driving, use a hands-free device. Also, other causes of distracted driving include reading, applying makeup, fixing your hair, eating, rubbernecking, messing with your radio or navigation system, and more.

Driving While Exhausted

Trucking can really tire people out, so make sure you get enough rest. Driving tired is the equivalent of driving drunk. Your reaction time, judgment and vision become impaired. Driving tired can also decrease performance and vigilance while increasing aggression. Be sure to sleep 7 to 8 hours a night and take naps if you get tired.

Sometimes drivers have sleep apnea, the silent killer, without even knowing it. If you wake up with headaches, feeling exhausted, confused, or out of breath considered getting screened for sleep apnea. Correcting this issue could greatly improve your quality of life. You can actually take a quick, free, sleep apnea test online with Aeroflow.

Having An Unhealthy Lifestyle

Truck stops can have some strange sites sometimes. Including drivers who look like they’re popping out of their jeans like a can of biscuits. This is because you can gain weight so rapidly in the trucking industry that you quickly grow out of your clothes before you notice. Having a poor diet and lack of exercise can really put your health at risk.

Obesity leads to conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart disease, sleep apnea, and more. However, you don’t have to give into an unhealthy trucking lifestyle.

For example, you can find healthier food options on the road by opting for grilled chicken salads or salmon with nutritious snacks like boiled eggs or nuts. Fast food options even have all sorts of fresh wraps and fruit. Also, get rid of soda for green tea options and black coffee.

Then don’t let sitting too much become the death of you. Try to move around whenever you can. Take extra laps around your truck or around the truck. You can also take a few free weights and resistant bans in your rig to squeeze in a few calorie-burning workouts here and there.

Stay Safe!

We wish we were reporting on happier news, but trucker safety is incredibly important. The best way to educate people is by spreading awareness. However, we’re happy to announce that the rate of trucker fatalities is decreasing annually.

By teaming up in the trucking industry to practice safer driving and healthier habits the mortality rate will decrease even more! Please visit TSNAmerica for more trucking blogs and share your safety tips in the comment section below.

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The Winter Emergency Equipment Truckers Should Carry

What a winter we’re having. It’s really started off with a bang, causing record-breaking freezes all over the nation. New York has been below freezing for days and snow is seriously pounding the east coast. Even Georgia is getting iced over.

You have to be careful out there trucking through these serious winter conditions and we hope you’re able to stay safe and warm. You never know what to really expect from mother nature may throw at you, so make sure you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.

Winter Emergency Equipment Truckers Should Carry

It’s extremely important to have extra clothes with you to stay warm and dry, especially during the winter. You will need an extra coat, hat, socks, and gloves. Make sure that these items are waterproof and functional so you’ll be able to make repairs with your gear on.

You will also want a lightweight jacket, sweaters, and a heavier insulated coat. This will give you the ability to wear layers so you will be able to stay warmer. You will also be able to remove layers if you feel too hot.

Last but not least, while packing extra clothes, don’t forget about extra underwear. It will really come in handy if you get stuck somewhere for a few days.

Make sure you have enough blankets. You could even carry an electric one with you to stay extra warm. A hot and dry place to sleep could make a major difference after a long day.

Make sure you’re prepared with enough food and water if you get stuck somewhere for a few days. Take non-perishable foods like canned items and beef jerky. Just don’t forget the can opener.

Also, carry matches or a lighter to create a fire if you need to, but have a fire extinguisher to put out unwanted flames. Another great safety tool to have is a multi-purpose utility knife with a seatbelt cutter and point to break glass.

Remember to have a good first aid kit on hand as well. It should have antibacterial ointment, bandages, scissors, band-aids, and baby wipes. You could keep some aspirin for emergencies too.

No one likes o be without their electronics, especially during an emergency. That’s why you should have extra batteries for your phone, flashlight, and more. You should also have a hand crank radio and solar-powered chargers for your favorite devices.

If you have things you can’t go a day without like daily medication or coffee, be sure to take an extra amount with you during your trip so you won’t run out during an emergency. Plus, daily hygiene items to keep you looking and smelling fresh are great to have.

Winter is dark so if you get in an accident chances are that visibility will be low and other drivers won't be able to see you. That’s why you need to turn your flashers on and you should have flares to put out if necessary.

Stay Safe And Warm

Thanks again for all of your hard work trucking through snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. We hope you will be able to stay safe and warm, but please be prepared in case an emergency happens.

Please share your winter safety tips in the comment section below and visit TSNAmerica.com for more trucking blogs. 

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