Tips on driving a truck at night

Freight transport workers come up against significant challenges in their day-to-day life.

One of the challenges you professional drivers face is driving at night. Having no natural light requires greater concentration, resulting in greater effort on the part of the driver and, therefore, greater levels of fatigue.

At Andamur, we are aware of the difficulties involved in driving at night. That is why we would like to help you by giving you some tips on how to drive as safely as possible at night, with a view to preventing accidents.

1. Check the vehicle’s lights. Before setting off on a journey, it is important to check that the vehicle’s lighting is working properly, both on daytime journeys (if the daytime journey is a long distance one, it is likely that driving will take longer after sunset) and at night. Remember to use long-range headlights when visibility is poor and whenever traffic and road conditions allow you to do so (it is important not to blind other vehicles).

1. Reduce speed. Reduced visibility should be synonymous with reduced speed. Although it may seem obvious, this is not always the case. At night, there is less vehicle traffic and the roads are often empty, which is why many drivers tend to speed up. However, we recommend reducing the maximum speed by 20% in order to be able to react to any unforeseen event (it is recommended not to exceed 90 km/h at night).

1. Take breaks every hour/hour and a half. On any journey, rest breaks are of the utmost importance. However, drowsiness is more common on night journeys. That is why it is recommended to stop more frequently (even if there are no symptoms), and do not hesitate to rest whenever you feel fatigue, tiredness or drowsiness.

1. Do not drive with the interior cab light on. Driving with the interior light on will cause a greater contrast between the interior and exterior and can decrease your vision, so it is always recommended to keep a dim light inside the vehicle.
2. Ensure that the vehicle is well-ventilated. This will help to prevent drowsiness and fatigue.

At Andamur, #WeLookAfterWhatMatters. That’s why the health and rest of professional drivers is our priority. Take care of yourself while at the wheel!