As summer heats up, truckers must contend with dangerous high temperatures that could put their health at risk — even when they’re inside their own vehicles.
Summer weather is definitely here, and in many parts of the country, that can mean truckers are contending with temperatures in the 80s, 90s, or even into triple digits.
While many truckers are able to keep cool by idling their trucks or using APUs, not everyone is so lucky. Many locations have strict idling laws and some drivers are forced to sweat it out in a hot truck while they try to get the rest that they need to operate safely.
Even worse, a lack of safe truck parking in the U.S. could mean that a truck driver has to make the choice between a sweltering truck and the risk of cracking a window for some fresh air.
That’s why why thought it would be helpful to take a look at how quickly the interior of your truck can heat up without air conditioning and with the widows up.
Exposure to high temperatures over a prolonged period of time can be harmful or even deadly. In 2020, a truck driver and his pet dog were found dead inside a hot truck at a truck stop in Barstow, California. While the cause of the driver’s death remains undetermined, authorities believe that the dog succumbed to heat exhaustion after the truck ran out of fuel while the windows were rolled up.
Heat-related illnesses can creep up on you or a loved one quickly. Here are some of the symptoms of heat stroke that you should know:
- High body temperature. A body temperature that is over 104 degrees is a tell-tale symptom of heatstroke.
- Strange behavior. Heatstroke can cause slurred speech, delirium, confusion, agitation, or other strange behavior.
- Altered sweating patterns. Heatstroke can actually cause your body to stop sweating.
- Headache.
- Increased heart rate. A racing heart can be a big heatstroke warning sign.
- Nausea. An upset stomach, abdominal cramping, or vomiting associated with high temperatures could mean you’re suffering from heatstroke.
- Reddened skin. Flushed skin could mean you or one of your passengers has heatstroke.
To view a list of state and local idling regulations, please click here.