There is no denying that freight drivers spend significant periods of time on the road. In 2020, Budget Direct recorded an estimate of 23,499 million kilometres travelled by all freight vehicles. With such a high estimate, we did some digging to see what these incredible drivers get up to, to keep themselves entertained whilst on the road.
Podcasts & Audio Books
Without the company of family and friends on the road, finding quality podcasts or audiobooks are an engaging way to stay alert on the road, but also to learn new topics like historical periods, have a laugh and keep yourself informed. In 2021, some podcasts that made it into Australia’s top 10 were Casefile True Crime, Hamish & Andy, The Update, Triple M Rocks Footy AFL and She’s on the Money.
Music Streaming
Music streaming, not unlike podcasts and audio books, can be utilised whilst driving or during breaks. This is a great hands free option for de-stressing, boosting your mood and also creating a more positive and engaging environment to drive in, especially for those who don’t like sitting in silence with their own thoughts, or prefer to choose their own curated music playlists over the radio.
Self-Reflection
Very few people take time out of their day to practice self-reflection & gratitude. Truck Drivers on the other hand have ample time to do just this, and can be a different way of keeping the mind occupied whilst keeping their full attention on the road.
Mobile Games
After travelling long distances, it’s nice to take a break and take your mind off of work. Although many might say that staring at a screen for too long can be detrimental to your health, it also is known to have health benefits such as stress relief, reducing depression and improving your mood. Furthermore, if you play an online mobile game, it allows you to connect with people and collaborate in problem solving - increasing your creative output. As drivers spend so much time on the road and not on their phones, I think it’s safe to say that the positive impacts of mobile games outweigh the negative!
Social Media & Vlogging
In recent years, more truck drivers are becoming social media influencers. More times than not the decision to become an influencer stems from wanting to share industry advice, industry news, provide humorous entertainment, and to create a community. Using their voices, backed by their following and community, these influencers have a common goal of educating, motivating and empowering truckers so they can stand up for their rights all whilst bringing public awareness to these issues in an attempt to bring about change.
Photography
Taking a break between trips is vital when driving long distances. During these breaks, some drivers take a moment to stretch their legs and take in their surrounds. Dependent on how far and where they have travelled, the landscapes or wildlife they may encounter can vary from town to town & state to state. This is a great chance to not only capture a momento of the moment, but to hone those photography skills through shooting different climates & angles!
Exercise
Sitting down for long periods of time can affect a person's health. As truck drivers require rest periods as a part of their trip, some have taken to hiking as for their break as an alternative to the typical gym session. Hiking and walking trails can be very common in rural areas so they should be easy to find, and the fresh air will allow for a fresh mind once the driving starts again. Before your next trip, research some hiking trails along your route to see where you can take your next break!
Novel Writing
Quite possibly through self reflection, some drivers have taken to writing novels during their breaks on the road. New apps have been developed where drivers can speak to their phone whilst keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, and the app transcribes speech to text. So if you’re on the road and think of a fantastic story idea, be sure to check out Transcribe, Dictation & Otter (to name a few).
Collecting Souvenirs
Collective souvenirs like fridge magnets, town maps or postcards can keep a long-distance driver occupied as they can look forward to each town they drive through. Souvenirs like these are typically held in the local information buildings, therefore subliminally educating anyone who walks through those doors. Not only are they collecting proof of these towns' existence, but also learning the story of its making to take home to share with friends and family whenever they point out the collection.
We'd love to know what you get up to during your time on the road - feel free to reach out to marketing@truckit.net and let us know!
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