Tips To Remain Cool & Composed Whilst Driving in The Summer Months

There is a chance that the summer months are likely to offer us some high temperatures, which is fantastic for those who will be out enjoying it in the garden, but less thrilling for anyone stuck in the cab of an HGV.

We’ve all been inside a car when the temperatures rise, popping on the air con or dropping the window helps, but when you’re driving all day, it gets extremely hot, sweaty and irritable which can be both uncomfortable and unpleasant for drivers.

So, to help our fellow HGV drivers, FleetEx share their top tips to help you remain cool and composed whilst driving your cab in the summer months.

Stay hydrated

It can be very easy to become dehydrated as a commercial driver. With limited toilet stops available, many drivers restrict what they drink in order to stay on track with their deliveries, but this is not good for your health during the summer months.

In fact, dehydration can lead to issues such as fatigue, headaches and dizziness, which can all be extremely dangerous when behind the wheel. It is therefore essential that you have a cooler or insulated water bottle with you so that you can take regular sips throughout the day.

This should ensure that you stay hydrated without putting too much pressure on your bladder.

Water is usually the best option for hydration as sugary drinks, tea and coffee which contain caffeine will all serve to make you more dehydrated than you were before.

Do your planning

Planning is always essential as an HGV driver, but it is even more important during the summer months. If you have a thoroughly planned out route, you can avoid driving around in circles whilst your cab turns into a sauna.

The coolest times of day and the quietest on the roads are the early morning and late evening so wherever possible try and schedule your driving around these times. If you are driving during the hottest time of day, then make sure you plan regular breaks in shaded areas to give you a chance to cool off.

Be air conditioning aware

The obvious solution to outside temperatures rising is to turn the air conditioning on but it is important to remember that this can be a fuel guzzler and can put a lot of extra strain on the engine of your vehicle.

You therefore need to think about how you use your air conditioning and try setting it to a moderate temperature instead of blasting it as cold as possible. This will help to maintain a consistent temperature in your cab and allows you to then turn it off when it is not needed.

You can give your air conditioning a helping hand by making sure that you park in shaded areas to avoid the vehicle overheating, and keep your windows closed while the air con is on to help make it more effective.

You also need to make sure that your air conditioning is on your list of vehicle checks before you set off. Make sure all air conditioning components are in good working order and that any air conditioning fluids and coolant are fully topped up.

Keep an eye on the weather

As Brits, we are all very experienced in talking about the weather, so this should come fairly naturally. You need to check the weather forecast before each journey and see whether there are any potential weather conditions that might impact your trip or your truck.

The summer can be responsible for a range of different severe weather conditions which go beyond rising temperatures.

This means being aware of when the sun is likely to be at its peak but also being on the lookout for storms that could impact on your driving conditions.

Keep an ice pack handy

Even with the air conditioning on, driving an HGV can still be a hot and sticky business, so try having an ice pack nearby to help you out. There are some fantastic travel cooling packs available that you can wear around your neck to help lower your body temperature when it is needed without having to take your hands off the wheel.

Seat covers

There is nothing worse than jumping into the driving seat, wearing a pair of shorts and realising that it is the equivalent of molten lava. HGV cabs that have been parked in the sun will become very hot, and this is particularly relevant to seat materials, steering wheels and gear sticks.

If your cab is becoming too hot to handle, then think about installing a cooling blanket on your seat or even placing just a light blanket over the seat to help protect you from it. A steering wheel cover can also make your drive a little bit more comfortable.

Sunshades

Using sunshades can keep the temperature in your HGV down. These can block a good amount of the sun's rays to help keep the cab cooler and reduce your need for air conditioning. These can be installed for use while the vehicle is parked up, or you could tint the windows to help offer long term shade. However, it is important to remember that these are kept within the legal limits.

Plan your outfit

You might not give too much thought to what you were going to wear when driving an HGV, but during the summer months it can be incredibly important.

Make sure that you choose light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing wherever possible and try to ensure that you are always dressed in breathable fabrics like cotton or linen to help keep you cool. You might also find that wearing a hat or cap is very effective in protecting your head and face from the rays of the sun.

Keeping cool while driving in the summer is incredibly important for a number of different reasons. Not only can it make you sleepy, but it can also cause you to lose concentration, which can be incredibly dangerous.

Overheating can also be responsible for increasing levels of frustration and anger which in turn can lead to poor decision-making. It is therefore vital that you take as many measures as possible to make sure you are comfortable whilst driving your HGV this summer.