When you obtain your CDL and get a job as a professional truck driver, you will be ready to hit the road on your first commercial haul. While some jobs may be local, others may require you to travel long distances over many days. One of the skills that you will learn during your truck driving school in Tucson is how to remain an alert and safe driver behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. To help you combat driver fatigue during long journeys, here are some time tested methods for improving your alertness.
Get Plenty of Sleep
While it may seem obvious, it is very important to make sure that you get enough sleep before you get behind the wheel of your truck. A solid 6-8 hours of sleep per night will help you avoid sleepiness during the day. If you feel tired before you start to drive, you may be able to boost your energy levels with a quick cat nap.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Along with making sure that you are well rested, it is also important to make sure that you maintain a healthy diet when you are on the road. While it may be tempting to reach for salty, sugary, or fat-filled snacks when you roll into a truck stop, junk food can only add to feelings of fatigue. Balanced snacks, such as trail mix, fruit, and whole grain items, can help you maintain your alertness.
Stay Active
Remaining still and sedentary behind the wheel of a truck can add to feelings of sleepiness over time. To help stay alert and awake as you drive, you may want to take the time to stretch and move when you take a rest break. Even a short stroll around the parking lot can go a long way towards helping you feel energized.
If you are interested in attending truck driving school, be sure to get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute. For more information about all of the classes that we currently offer at our Tucson CDL school, give us a call at (877) 205-2141.
