10 tips to help you stay focused throughout your long drives

Posted Thursday, Nov 24, 2022

When you are a long-haul truck driver, there’s an added responsibility to stay safe on the road. You have your own well-being to worry about, as well as the other drivers on the road. And of course, you also have your freight to protect, your truck to take care of, deadlines to meet, and other important objectives that require your focus at all times.

When driving a long haul (especially by yourself), it’s so easy to get distracted. Here is a list of 10 tips to help you stay focused throughout your long drives:

  1. Pull Over if You Feel Tired: If you ever feel yourself getting drowsy, pull over for a few minutes. Take a 20-minute cat nap, get out and walk around to stretch your legs or grab a small snack.
  2. Eat Healthier: When you eat too much fast food and junk food, the fats and sugars will increase your likelihood of getting sleepy. Seek out healthier alternatives and understand how your diet affects your ability to focus.
  3. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. When you are hydrated, you are less likely to get fatigued. Also, know that drinks with a lot of sugar and caffeine may give you a quick boost of energy. However, when you come back down from that initial rush, you will feel even more tired than before.
  4. Take Vitamins: Along with a healthier diet, always take your vitamins. Vitamins B and C are excellent energy boosters.
  5. Listen to Music or Audio Books: Whether you listen to the radio, bring your own music or prefer listening to audio books, it helps to have something interesting to listen to on the road. Turn up the volume if you feel yourself getting a little tired.
  6. Open Up the Window: Sometimes, simply rolling down the window (especially if it is chilly outside) can wake you right up.
  7. Make Sure You Get Your Sleep: A good night’s sleep will do wonders for your ability to stay focused the next day. It’s not always easy to get your sleep in while on the road, but you have to make it a priority.

Source: America Truck Driving