If you drive for a living, there is a chance that you could be asked to go hundreds or thousands of miles in a single trip. While you want to get to your destination as quickly as possible, you also want to get there safely. Here are some tips for driving on a long haul.

Take Care of Yourself

According to AAA, people who get less than five hours of sleep the night before driving are as impaired as someone who is over the legal blood-alcohol limit. You can put yourself in danger of getting hurt or hurting others if you drive when you’re sleep deprived. While it may be possible to pick yourself up with an energy drink or cup of coffee, it is generally best to sleep when you feel tired. You can do this by stopping by the side of the road for a few minutes or pulling into a truck stop overnight.

It’s also common for those in the trucking industry to experience lower back and shoulder pain. If you struggle with pain management while driving, then take steps to relieve your symptoms. Driving without pain will allow you to be more alert while on the road. 

Obey Traffic Laws

There are other reasons to get in trouble if pulled over, and you want to avoid them for road safety while you travel. Common reasons why a person gets pulled over include driving too fast for road conditions, failing to stop at a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign. If you are found to be drunk, visibly tired or using a cellphone when you’re pulled over, you could be in serious trouble. Therefore, be sure to keep your attention solely on the road whenever your vehicle is moving, and, of course, never drink and drive.

Always Wear Your Seat Belt

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 90 percent of drivers wear seat belts. However, the 10 percent who don’t wear their seat belts make up about 50 percent of the people who die in automobile accidents. It is in your best interest to wear your safety belt even if it feels uncomfortable or you think it could cause you to get hurt if a crash happens. If you are pulled over and you’re not wearing a seat belt, you could face fines, negative points on your license or other penalties.

As a professional driver, it is your job to make safety your top priority. This means that you might have to slow down or even stop driving if the situation calls for it. While your employer might be slightly annoyed if you have to go slow, it is better than getting a ticket or causing an accident.

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