Being a commercial truck driver can be a hard career. That has been especially true during this last year when Covid hit and things have changed. Drivers are considered essential, yet it is even more challenging to stay safe during this time.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some tips to stay safe during this difficult time.
Take plenty of food and drink along with you. To avoid stopping as much as you can, you should pack as much food and drink with you so you aren’t tempted to stop several times a day, just to pick up a soda and a snack. You can put a cooler in your rig, so you can enjoy your favorite cold drink whenever you need it. Choose a lot of snacks that are easy to grab and eat on the go. Think healthy by also packing fruits and vegetables as snacks.
You may even want to invest in something to heat your food. There are many different things that you can get in your rig to allow you to cook and heat up meals on the go, so you don’t have to stop. You may be able to install a microwave or find a thermos that will heat up your soup at night.
When you do have to stop, protect yourself. You should always wear a mask when you get out of your truck. Practice social distancing whenever possible. You may want to keep hand sanitizer handy to clean up before and after you pump fuel into your truck, as well as multiple times a day.
Have a list of safe truck stops. As you go through your travels, you may want to call ahead and find out which stops are safer than others. You want to stop only at places that practice basic sanitation to ensure that you are safe. You may also be able to find a few restaurants and hotels that you may feel comfortable stopping at.
Sleep in your truck (if possible). Many rigs have sleepers, which allow drivers to sleep in no matter where they are. If you have one, you should utilize your rig to keep you out of a hotel room.
Arrange your pickups and deliveries prior to arriving. By scheduling your pickups and deliveries, you will be able to have a smoother stop. Not only will you avoid contact with these people by talking to them on the phone or radio instead of in person, you can just wait in your rig while everything is being done. You don’t have to get out as your cargo is being loaded or unloaded. Many companies are also going to electronic records, so you might not even have to get a receipt! You may be able to just keep going.
Though Covid has changed a lot, it hasn’t changed the need for our truck drivers. Just like everyone else, they have to stay safe by packing food and drinks with them. They should also sleep in their truck so that they don’t have to come in contact with as many people! When they do have to go out, they should only go to places that take Covid seriously by practicing basic sanitation. They should also mask up, practice social distancing, and wash their hands regularly. It also helps to arrange your pickups and deliveries prior to arriving. That way, you are communicating on the phone, instead of in person, and you can just wait in your rig while your cargo is being taken care of.
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