If you drive a truck for a living, those long hours spent behind the wheel can come with a host of occupational hazards. Beyond the immediate risk of accidents and driver burnout, you might be unknowingly exposing yourself to another significant threat – damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The constant high level of exposure to UV rays from truck windows has a much more serious health impact on visual health and your skin conditions, making eye and sun protection critically important for all professional truck drivers.
The Hidden Dangers of UV Exposure for Commercial Drivers
The majority of commercial drivers drive long-haul during daylight. Excessive UVA & UVB over prolonged periods has been linked to numerous health problems:
- Photokeratitis: Sunburn of the cornea, causing pain and temporary vision impairment.
- Cataracts and Macular Degeneration: Long-term eye damage that can jeopardize your commercial driver’s license (CDL) vision standards.
- Skin Cancer: Increased incidence of skin damage and melanoma, particularly on the left side of the face, neck, and arm closest to the driver’s side window.
Knowing these risks makes sun safety a must in every driver’s daily schedule.
4 Practical UV Protection Tips for Long-Haul Drivers
By practicing these everyday preventive measures, you are less likely to suffer harm from the sun while you’re behind the wheel.
1. Apply Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen & Wear Protective Gear
When the inspection begins, apply an all-over, broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sun protection cream. Focus on the skin most likely to be exposed: your face, neck, ears, and hands. Where appropriate, don light, UPF-rated long-sleeve shirts and a large brimmed hat when you do a vehicle walkaround and during rest stops.
2. Select the Right UV-Blocking Sunglasses
Make sure your sunglasses protect your eyes when you’re behind the wheel. Make sure the sunglasses that you wear for your trips are 100% UVA and UVB coated and that they’re polarized, which can cut down on the glare that is sometimes on roads. And it’s good to pick sunglasses which will work around the edges and the side to help to guard from the light.
3. Minimize Direct Sunlight Inside the Cabin
If you can’t always schedule route hours to avoid peak sun (10am-4pm), you can still help make your cab experience more enjoyable:
- Utilize built-in sun visors to block direct overhead light.
- Ensure cab windows feature legal, high-quality UV-blocking window tints or shades to filter out radiation without reducing visibility.
4. Schedule Annual Dermatological Check-ups
It’s important to catch skin cancer early since it’s the most common type in the US. One simple thing you can do is to set a time with your dermatologist for a yearly skin check-up. This will help keep an eye on any suspicious spots.
Prioritize Driver Safety on Every Mile
While National Sunglasses Day (June 27) is the perfect time to remember your eyes and skin; taking care of your body requires attention throughout the entire year. Practicing these easy safety measures will help keep you healthy and comfortable for the long haul on and off the road.
Partner with ATC for Safe, Professional Vehicle Transportation
Driving is about people. At ATC our core values are centered around the health, safety and well-being of our professional drivers to ensure a smooth operation. We continue to be a trusted and reliable partner offering competitive, quality transport services across the nation.
Reliable transport for your entire fleet is only a phone call away! Contact ATC for a no-obligation quote. We look forward to helping with all your fleet logistics needs.
