Preventing Roadblocks – Long Distance Driving

Maintenance Essentials

A brake inspection is advisable seeing as how worn-out brakes and brake failure are a common cause of accidents, which can often result in vehicle damage or even third-party injury. Worn-out brake pads can be a simple and inexpensive fix to ensure the safety of your drive.

Making sure your truck is well lubricated and has all the essential fluids it needs to run seamlessly is another way to confirm that the maintenance is fully updated on your vehicle. Let us not forget how important and essential routine oil changes are and how they assist in eliminating a handful of unforeseen breakdowns during a long drive.

It is good practice to keep the condition of your truck up to par so that your drive is always smooth and safe. Additionally, having peace of mind knowing that everything under the hood is functioning properly can ease the stress of driving long distances. After all, no one wants to get stuck on the side of the road.

Personal Driver Recommendations

Not only should the truck be well maintained and ready for a long journey, but the driver should be as well. We recommend getting ample sleep in order to eliminate several time-consuming stops on the road, such as coffee breaks, which can then turn into bathroom breaks.

Packing snacks and meals might also prevent several stops for food and water. However, it is most important to be well rested for the journey so that drivers can have a clear mind for watching the road and enjoy the drive.

We have all been in a situation of tired driving at some point, and it is safe to say that driving under poor conditions can add stress to an already long journey. As it stands, speed limits for bigger trucks tend to be slower than for general traffic, adding time to the drive overall. If you are going to be on the road for several hours, it is best to be clear-headed and well rested. Getting a full night's rest would serve a driver well the day before a long trip.

Breaking It Down

Here is a quick checklist to help ease the pressure off truck drivers before a long-distance drive and reduce the chance of encountering roadblocks:

• Sleep well, a full night’s rest
• Pack snacks and water
• Make sure your truck is well maintained
  • Check and change oil
  • Lubricate moving parts
  • Inspect and service brakes
  • Check tire pressure

We encourage the practice of safe driving and, through research, have found that by taking action before a long journey on the road, you can eliminate a degree of worry and potential trouble along the way.