Drink lots of water
When it gets hotter, the body sweats more to keep you cool, which means that there is a significant loss of body fluids. You need to drink plenty of water to replenish your body. Drinking water is also a good way to help lower body temperature.
If you do not replenish the fluids your body loses when it is too hot, you may end up getting dehydrated. Mild dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, stomach upsets, and nausea. It is advisable to stay hydrated as dehydration can cause low concentration levels which pose a risk when you are driving or operating machinery. Ensure you stay hydrated during the hot summer months by drinking water throughout the day.
Make sure that you stay well-hydrated by keeping a sufficient supply of water in your HGV when setting off on your journey or otherwise you will start asking yourself questions like ‘is being an hgv driver worth it’. You can also put some bottles of water to freeze before you leave so that they can serve as ice packs. They will also defrost during the journey which means you will have cold water to drink even after hours on the road.
Beware of the glare
Driving when it is too sunny means that you risk having your vision reduced by the glare from the sun, especially if you are driving in the direction of the sun. It could cause you to have longer reaction times on the road and can also distract you when you are driving.
If you plan to drive during the summer and do not want to succumb to the glare, having a pair of sunglasses to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays is advisable.
Wear sun cream even when inside your vehicle.
As stated in the point above, increased UV rays pose a risk of sunburn even when you are sitting inside the car/truck. Even if only a part of your body is exposed to the sun, too much sun exposure to the same area poses a danger for your skin. You need to protect all parts of your body from too much sun exposure by getting a good sun cream. Check that it protects you from UVB and UVA rays as well.
Get your HGV ready.
The heat does not affect us, humans, alone. Your vehicle can also get issues when it gets too hot. It is best to keep an eye out for some common problems that arise when it gets hot. They are such as;
Tyre blowout – Hot weather can pose a big problem for tyres. When everything around the tyre gets hot, the risk of blowout increases. The air, tarmac, and vehicle’s metal parts heat up quickly and build up pressure fast. If a tyre heats up beyond the manufacturer’s specifications, a blowout is highly likely. Since there is not much you can do to make sure the tyres are cool when it is hot, you should check that they are properly inflated. Under-inflated tyres have a higher risk of blowouts.
Brake fade – Most vehicle owners know that cold weather can affect the brakes. The same is true for hot weather. When you are using the brakes, they cause friction and this leads to heat. Since the temperature outside is already hot, the heat from the friction when your brakes are in use can be challenging to reduce as it is significant. The situation could cause your brakes to lose effectiveness, become unpredictable, or fail altogether. To prevent this, ensure your brake fluid is replaced frequently and that the brake pads are in good condition.
