Being a
lorry driver is by no means an easy job to carry out; travelling great
distances for hours or even days at a time can be highly enjoyable for some or
extremely boring, exhausting endeavours for others. Here’s how, with a bit of
preparation, you can make sure you survive your long-haul journey with your
sanity intact.
Get enough rest
If you find
that you have been awake for up to 18 hours or more, then it goes without
saying that you are certainly in no fit state to be driving. Being awake for
that period of time is actually equal to having a blood alcohol concentration
of 0.08%. Some countries even class this level of concentration enough to be
legally over the limit. Getting a full 8-9 hours of sleep before embarking on
your journey will mean you are fully rested and alert enough for the drive.
Stay hydrated
According to
a survey
conducted at Loughborough
University, motorists who are dehydrated make twice the amount of mistakes as
hydrated drivers. Dehydration can trigger impaired mental functioning, a
reduction in concentration, alertness and short-term memory. Not all of us
enjoy sipping water, especially when it’s warm or room temperature due to being
sat in the car all day.Yet, with this in mind,
why not
invest in a thermo bottle to keep your water nice and chilled throughout the
duration of the journey?
Stretch
When you are
driving, stretching will keep the blood flowing around your body, especially
when you are sitting in the same position for long stretches of time. Straight
forward leg and arm stretches can be performed practically anywhere, just make
sure you are in a safe position to leave your vehicle.
Snacks
Having
plenty of nibbles in reach whilst your driving is a great way to keep your
taste buds awake, just remember to prepare the food before you set off on your
journey - or just keep a packet of something you enjoy nibbling on to-hand.
And lastly,
enjoy the drive. Crank the music up high and sing along to your favourite
songs. Relax, and embrace the freedom of the open road!
Here at
Graham Churchill, With a vast range of lorries, tippers, dump trucks and road
sweepers to choose from, Graham Churchill Plant Ltd in Silverstone is well
equipped to meet your needs. Whether you need a tipper to transport large
amounts of earth and waste to the landfill or a road sweeper to tidy up your
site, you can hire from us on a one-off or contractual basis. Get in touch
to find out more.
