Night driving tips

I hate night driving. We thought I'd love it since I'm a night owl but I find it's incredibly difficult for me. When I do run at night I stop and rest. I drink WAY to much caffiene as it is so I don't think upping that is an option, I'd just turn into a coffee bean. I'm pretty sure if you cut me I'll bleed diet coke.

I change what I do several times at night. Music for a while, listen to a book (funny works best) talk on the phone, stop for a nap, etc. And I avoid sugared foods at night because I'll either crash or have to eat more. In a tight pinch I eat hot tamales candy. Yes. It's a crutch. But it can save me at 4:45 am.

 

I start my day at 2am, I think this can be one of the toughest times to overcome. I have the wife make me a good cup of coffee and as soon as I get in the truck I turn on the satellite radio, crack the window a little bit and just ride until I'm in my groove "usually about 30 minutes in to it". Once I'm feeling good I'll roll the window up and it's usually smooth sailing from there, don't be embarassed to sing along with the radio, I do it all the time. I do a lot of 2 lane night driving so I'll give trucks passing the other direction a shout on the cb just to let them know they look good going the other way, most of the time they'll holler back and just that little bit of conversation brings your alertness back around. But like earlier stated, if a 30 min. nap is what helps, take it. I've been tired and in the fog before and pulled it in a rest area and slept for nearly 2 hours, wanting to stay on track and turn some miles is a good thing, but seriously what do you lose in 30 minutes of napping? 35 miles or so, not nearly worth the cost of falling asleep at the wheel..............

 

I stole one of the ole lady's hairspray bottles, dumped it out and filled it with water. When my eyes feel a little dry I spritz a squirt in my face, ears and neck, refreshing!

Also stole her neck massager thingie only pulls 10 watts, plugs into the 400 watt inverter. Sometimes my right buttcheek gets numb so I kinda lean up a little and sit on this thing and turn it on turbo. After few minutes my butt is back awake again. Sometimes I drop it down between the seat and my back and push back against it while it vibrates and get a nice back massage that is good for waking up and pumping the blood. Use it on my calves and thighs, shoulders, neck, it's just like getting out and walking but getting miles down the road and paid-- put up big hours without eating up the whole 14.

 

You must remember that the bodies natural sleeping period is during the evening hours,the worst hours are 1-4AM.The best way to beat it is to have a full sleep session before you are suppose to drive (7-8hrs at least) and if you feel that you must pull-over for a "power nap" well please do for you have already gone past your fatigue point and it could become a danger to you,co-driver,anyone else on the road.

 

You are right about the change of socks. You are the only otherperson I have heard say it though. I also do the barefoot thing you mentioned.

 

Thats where experience comes in. When you drive as many miles as we truck drivers do you have to keep things rolling. Of course riding too high in an air ride seat can also cause fatigue, leg pain, and even back pain. Better to let that air out of the seat and sit low with your kness slightly bent. Better blood flow to your lower legs.

 

I was told this a long time ago from an old timer & it worked for me the few times I used it. It's free, non fattening, non diet, & legal.......



























Take of.....
























your......

Left shoe! ​

That right your left shoe. Don't ask me why it works but it does.

 

i always drive bare foot on long trips, helps me alot. also have lots of healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruit. and when i start getting a tired i ring the wife and have a good chat with her and the kids. i also have a good mix of music from slow and soft to fast and loud. and i only have caffine (coffee or cola) at the start of shift just after i wake up then its water or milk or juice until i go to bed. p.s dont pee when you need too, hold onto it because it keeps you awake having a very very full bladder (oh the pain)

 

"Sometimes my right buttcheek gets numb "


When my butt cheek starts to go numb it is time to clean all the garbage out of my wallet. It is absolutly amazing all the junk that I put in there.