Summer is one of the most challenging seasons of the year for road freight transport. Many other sectors we work with experience their peak season at this time, making our services more essential than ever. However, the surge in tourism, increased traffic and high temperatures mean that we logistics operators must take extreme precautions to ensure the safety of our customers’ goods and, above all, the well-being of our drivers.
Whilst rain and snowfall pose a real problem for road freight transport, so-called ‘good weather’ also has its dangers. In fact, intense heat poses a high risk to commercial vehicles and to drivers who spend many hours behind the wheel. Therefore, proper route planning, preventative fleet maintenance and good driving habits are essential to minimise risks.
At Conde Fernández Hermanos, we are aware of this issue, and so we always take the utmost precautions during these summer months. For any self-respecting haulier, here is our advice.
How does the heat affect the lorry?
Given the varied climate we have on the Iberian Peninsula, it is essential to keep an eye on the temperatures at each stop along your route. When temperatures exceed 35 °C, the performance of the vehicle’s components can be affected. The strain on the engine and cooling systems is greater, and the tyres reach much higher temperatures due to continuous contact with the tarmac. It is important to bear in mind that tarmac is a surface with an incredible capacity to absorb heat. Of course, this is not at all to our advantage, as on certain stretches the accumulated temperature can exceed 60 °C.
For this reason, during the summer it is extremely important to prioritise preventive maintenance of the fleet. Checking aspects such as the cooling system, antifreeze, the condition of the brakes and tyre pressure before setting off on each journey can mean the difference between a breakdown and a delivery without any hitches. It goes without saying that suffering any kind of breakdown on the road has disastrous financial consequences, both for us as operators and for our customers, whose goods do not reach their destinations on time.
And how does the heat affect the driver?
Although the lorry is a key element in the transport sector, it is never more important than the person driving it. Hauliers spend many hours inside the cab and, although modern vehicles are fitted with increasingly efficient climate control systems, this does not spare our professionals from being constantly exposed to the sun and high temperatures. Intense heat can cause fatigue, loss of concentration and even heatstroke, so it is vitally important to take every possible precaution both behind the wheel and during breaks.
The advice to drink water frequently may seem obvious, but the reality is that staying hydrated is the best way to combat heat fatigue whilst driving. Furthermore, it is advisable not to wait until you feel thirsty to drink, as by the time this sensation arises, it means your body has already begun to become dehydrated. Another aspect that often goes unnoticed is exposure to the sun. Although the truck’s windscreen filters out some of the ultraviolet radiation, the side windows still allow a large amount of UVA rays to pass through. Especially on long journeys, using sun protection will help to protect your skin at all times.
Also, whenever you take a break, make sure to ventilate the cab before setting off again. During a stop, the temperature inside can rise rapidly in just a few minutes.
Planning your route in summer: what you need to bear in mind
Route planning must always be adapted to the conditions on the day to ensure the safe and efficient transport of goods, and summer is no exception. On the one hand, holidays and tourism have a significant impact on traffic during these months, with the start and end of the holiday season being key dates to bear in mind when organising the route. To avoid traffic jams that could affect delivery times, it is essential to have up-to-date GPS systems, as these enable real-time detection of traffic congestion, allowing the route to be adjusted in good time.
But even more important is planning the journey according to the day’s temperatures. The middle of the day usually poses the greatest heat-related risk, so it is advisable to organise loading and unloading operations around these times, as well as the route itself. For hauliers, the ideal approach is to carry out the journey as close as possible to the early hours of the morning or late afternoon. In this way, we reduce exposure to the sun and high temperatures and avoid the risks this poses whilst on the road.
Another factor to bear in mind during the summer is that the mix of drivers and their vehicles is more varied than usual. In other words, during these months we may come across ordinary cars and motorbikes, but also more caravans, cyclists and, above all, drivers from out of town who are unfamiliar with the local roads. This greater diversity of drivers means we need to be more cautious than usual and pay close attention to everything happening on the road in order to avoid accidents.
Resting is also part of a haulier’s job
Covering more kilometres in the shortest possible time does not mean the journey is more efficient. In fact, failing to take breaks every four and a half hours (as required by law) increases the risk of an accident. On the contrary, a well-rested driver makes better decisions at the wheel, is much more focused and reacts more quickly to any unforeseen events. It is therefore essential to make these stops on every journey and use them to drink, eat and freshen up before setting off again.
High temperatures are a feature of summer, and it is estimated that the average will continue to rise in the coming years. This makes prevention and care – for the lorry, the goods and the driver – more important than ever during these months. Checking the condition of the vehicle, organising routes properly, adapting to traffic and weather conditions and, above all, looking after the driver’s wellbeing are all aspects that make a difference during this season.
At Conde Fernández Hermanos, we understand that an efficient route and a safe route must be one and the same. That is why we have always emphasised responsible and sustainable logistics planning, in line with the needs of the sector, our customers and our staff.
We operate in the road freight transport sector, covering both domestic and international routes and providing our customers with logistics solutions for warehousing and distribution.
