Lorry, are you high? You always seem high. Do you take something to keep yourself going during your road trips?
I don't understand the question…
Step aside, partner. I’ll handle this.
Now listen here, anonymous: Don’t ever make that joke again. Not ever, ya hear?
But since we’re all here, lemme tell you somethin’ mighty important: A trucker’s job ain’t no walk in the park. If we gotta haul a package very quick on a long stretch, planning that trip real well is essential. First off, we gotta find the shortest route we can, makin' sure there ain’t much traffic or no roadworks. Gotta check the weather too—rain and storms’ll make things tougher, and if that cargo is heavier than a bull rodeo, we can’t go very fast, because speed would be our worst enemy if we had to stop fast or take a sharp curve. We’ve talked about it here and here.
Besides that, the route we pick needs to have some backup plans, just in case something goes sideways. And rest stops? Well, we ain’t machines, we are pups—we gotta eat. Eating while driving is forbidden in a couple of countries, so when planning trips, include these breaks. I’ll tell y’all about that another time, when I introduce y’all to a real fine friend we, truckers, been relying on since the 2000s.
Now, if you all can swing it, having two drivers on this long trips is the way to go. That way, while one’s sleepin', the other is keepin' the wheels turning. Of course, ya still gotta get your proper rest. Back in the day, all this was a whole lot harder, and we didn’t have near enough laws looking out for us. I have talked about that here.
But listen up, if you’re going to be a trucker, don’t you ever drink illegal substances to stay awake. And these energy drinks or caffeine-loaded stuff? Easy there, trucker—they can mess with your reflexes somethin’ fierce. Keep yourself hydrated, because water’s your best friend out here. If you start feelin’ dizzy, pull over and call 911. Stay outta the sun if you can help it. Crank up the AC in the summer and the heater in the winter. A big rig is a dang hazard on the highway, and if somethin’ goes wrong, it ain’t just you gettin’ hurt—it’s everybody ‘round you too.
Taking illegal substances ain’t no joke. And if somebody tries to hand them to you, you say NO and go for help or find an adult.
I hope you understood this. And you too, Lorry: Are we clear on that, my lil'star?
