Lifestyle
Seven Common Problems Truckers Experience on the Road, and How to Solve Them
Driving a truck doesn’t sound that difficult on the surface, but it can be very dangerous. Spending so much time behind the wheel automatically increases your chances of getting into an accident, it increases your chances of having to hire a truck accident lawyer, and it means you’ll be at home recovering instead of making money on the road.
Getting the right training is the first step to making sure you’re safe when driving your truck, but there are many other dangers you should be on the lookout for.
Fatigued Driving
One of the most common problems truck drivers face is fatigue. Long hours on the road away from your comfortable bed at home combined with tight deadlines creates a perfect storm of sleep deprivation. Unfortunately, most truckers push through the fatigue and keep driving.
If you’re feeling tired, you’re putting yourself and others on the road in danger. It’s important to get a full 8 hours of sleep in every 24-hour period, whether you choose to sleep at night or during the day.
A 20-minute nap can be very helpful too. A quick snooze can increase your energy levels and make it easier for you to concentrate on the road.
If pulling over isn’t an option, try cracking the window or turning up the music until you make it to the next truck stop.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a real problem for everyone who drives a vehicle. Texting is the biggest culprit. Everyone seems to do it, and yet, it increases your chance of getting into an accident by nearly 25 percent.
No matter how tempting, you shouldn’t use your phone while you’re driving. Put it on silent and out of reach so you aren’t tempted to text someone back while you’re driving. Save any texts or phone calls for when you pull over.
Texting isn’t the only thing that can distract you behind the wheel! A few other distractions include:
- Reaching for an object on the floor or in the other seat.
- Eating while driving.
- Adjusting the controls in the cabin.
The key is to focus on the road. If you’re tempted to do something that will take your attention away, you shouldn’t do it.
Speeding
Speeding is the norm among cars on the interstate. Truckers shouldn’t speed, even if you’re trying to meet a tight deadline. Not only is it dangerous, but it can also affect your CDL license.
Speeding means going over the posted speed limit, but it can mean other things beyond the number on the roadside sign. Truckers should go slower during inclement weather, which includes rain, snow, and fog.
Road conditions should affect a trucker’s speed too. Hilly roads, curving roads, and narrow roads require a trucker to go slower. Don’t be tempted to plow through at your current speed, even if it means you have to drive below the speed limit.
Aggressive Driving
Speeding isn’t the only form of aggressive driving. There are other ways you can drive aggressively, and it’s easy to do when tempers run high hour after hour on the road.
Aggressive habits to break include:
- Tailgating
- Cutting in front of other drivers
- Running red lights
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Changing lanes without signaling
Anything that is done in anger on the road is not a good idea. If you regularly experience road rage, you should learn a few relaxation techniques, like taking deep breaths or use calming essential oils in the cabin.
Boredom
There are a lot of great things about being a truck driver. There’s nothing like driving across the country, and it can be peaceful to do it by yourself, but not all roads are the same. Some roads in the United States drag on for mile after mile with nothing to capture your interest. Boredom is a common problem experienced by truckers.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can try when dealing with boredom on the road. Music is a good place to start, but if you notice yourself not paying attention to the tunes on the radio, try listening to an audiobook instead. CB chatter can pass the time, as can playing road games, like the alphabet game.
Loneliness
Driving a truck can be peaceful, but it can also be lonely. Loneliness can actually be dangerous to your health and wellbeing, so it’s important to find a way to feel connected when you’re on the road.
A few ideas for staying connected include:
- Plan time into your trip to call or text friends and family members back home.
- Consider bringing a pet on the road.
- Consider bringing a spouse or a friend on a haul.
- Participate in the trucking community through forums, Facebook groups, and chat rooms.
When you do stop the truck, a little chit chat can go a long way towards making you feel more connected. A short conversation with the person behind the gas station counter or another trucker can give you a boost of energy and make you feel a little less lonely.
Overconfidence
It’s important to have confidence behind the wheel, but make sure it isn’t false confidence. No matter how many hours you’ve spent behind the wheel, no one is immune to fatigue, boredom, and the other things on this list, but many drivers think they are, and they make mistakes on the road because of it.
You always have to remember the inherent danger in driving a huge truck at fast speeds. It deserves your complete attention. You may have never been in an accident, but it takes just one mistake, and you could find yourself in a deadly crash.
You may not have to deal with office politics or managing multiple projects at the same time like your office counterparts, but that doesn’t mean trucking doesn’t come with plenty of challenges of its own! Follow the tips on this list and you can conquer any roadside challenge that comes your way.
Lifestyle
Coco Glow Redefines Success on Natalie Massaro Terms
The American Dream whispers promises of opportunity, but for first-generation children, it can also carry a heavy weight of expectation. Natalie Massaro, the visionary behind Coco Glow, knows this firsthand. “There was an unspoken pressure to succeed,” Natalie explains. “Failure wasn’t an option.” This fueled a relentless work ethic in her – juggling two jobs while in school, a constant drive to excel that burned brightly within her.
This drive initially led the SheEO down a traditional path. But a different passion, simmering beneath the surface, tugged at her – a love for beauty and skincare. Stemming from her own experiences navigating body image as a woman with curves in a world often fixated on a single standard of beauty, Natalie knew there was a different narrative to be told.
It was a leap of faith, fueled by unwavering determination, which led Natalie to trade in the traditional path for entrepreneurship. in 2019, Coco Glow was born out of her Jersey Shore apartment. Today she has a staff of talented contour artists and is currently expanding into a second location. The recent introduction of teeth whitening hints at a future where Coco Glow offers a complete canvas for radiant beauty.
“Always find your why,” is Natalie’s mantra. Inspired by her parents’ unwavering work ethic, a constant reminder that “no one can fail if you are consistently showing up every day,” Natalie poured her heart and soul into Coco Glow. Entrepreneurship, it seems, runs in her blood. Her father’s success was a testament to the power of hard work and dedication, values that now echo in Coco Glow’s leadership. Her commitment to exceptional service is a direct reflection of the “show up every day” mindset.
A testament to the American Dream – reimagined for a new generation. It’s about defying expectations, forging your own path, and leaving your mark. It’s about finding your “why” and turning it into something beautiful, one sun-kissed client at a time. And witnessing the boost of confidence in each client who walks out the door is its own reward.
“Every client is understood, their wants and needs are adjusted to – your spray tan is the easiest part of your day” – perfectly represents her client-centric approach.
Experience Natalie’s artistic touch and the Coco Glow team help you feel radiant from the inside out. Visit their storefront Shrewsbury, New Jersey, or call (732) 362-7890. Stay updated on their latest creations and explore their offerings at https://cocoglowairbrush.com.
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