New Zealand Summer Truck Driving Safety Tips

Tuesday, November 26th, 2013

Read about 'New Zealand Summer Truck Driving Safety Tips' on USAVE, the place for all things car rental.

Operating a large vehicle such as a van or truck requires care and attention even in perfect conditions – with a heavier vehicle any slips can have much more destructive results. Although most people think of winter when it comes to road hazards, summer has its own set of difficulties that need to be paid attention to. In fact, because we assume it’s safe the danger can be that much greater. For anyone planning a long-term trip in a car or van during summer, here are some truck driving safety tips to be aware of:

• Morning and evening glare can reduce your visibility drastically. Throughout the day you should have no problems with glare as the sun reaches a very high peak in the sky during summer, however morning and evenings are when the angle becomes low and the powerful rays can make driving very difficult. If you don’t have anti-polarization glasses or sufficient shades, just pull over and enjoy the sunrise or sunset. It is actually safer to drive in the dark than during transitional stages, and in most cases the light will reach a safe level in under 20 minutes.
• An overheated driver is a distracted driver. Getting hot and bothered means you aren’t focusing on the road, and it can even make you tired (or at least feel that way). If you’re feeling the heat of the day a little too strongly, pull over to a shady spot and take a break. This especially important on longer trips, and frequent rest stops make the journey far safer – not to mention much more enjoyable.
• Summer is when everyone in New Zealand takes to the roads for their holiday, so there’s a lot more traffic about. The most dangerous factor is oncoming cars and trucks, as crossing the centreline is worryingly common around bends and head-on collisions are by far the most destructive crashes. You can’t account for other people’s driving, but you can adjust yours to being more defensive and cautious. Speed and impaired reaction times are the lead causes of fatal crashes around the summer season, so reduce the odds by being patient and observing marked speed suggestions. New Zealand driving roads are generally very safe and well made.

Take car on the roads with your rental van or truck this summer to ensure you don’t end up becoming – or adding to – the statistics.