Many Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers are faced with the decision of whether to trunk their routes by daylight, or after the sun sets. There are pros and cons to both, but at Barnes, we work with our drivers to meet our clients demands with both options.

While different people will have different preferences, some drivers have specific reasons for operating certain hours. Some firms will require their team to work during the day and others by night; yet many will allow their drivers to choose which time of day works best for them.

So, which is best for you as a driver? If you’re just staring out in the HGV industry, let’s weigh up both options and find out for you…

HGV Driving In The Day Vs. At Night

Driving in the daylight

Pros:

• Parking at a rest stop will not be hard to come by during daylight hours if you need a rest during your travels
• Daylight follows your body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it easier for you to stay awake during the daytime as the light stimulates you and keeps you more alert and awake
• The scenery can be enjoyable, and you get to appreciate the country that you’re travelling from your higher vantage point
• Obstacles and things that lie on the roadway will be easier to see during the daylight hours than at night time when they can be hidden by the darkness.

Cons:

• Many of us don’t like the traffic jams that inevitably come with the daylight hours, especially during rush hour or when passing through populated areas
• Workforces are often most active during the day, meaning the time it takes to travel the distance through construction zones longer than it might at night
• Distracted driving is much more prevalent as you can take in the landscape around you and all the sights there are to see. However, drivers must be careful to pay attention to the road and not just the surroundings around them, no matter how pretty they happen to be.

 

Driving at night

Pros:

• Less traffic on the roads can help you log better mileage in less time
• Delays are less likely to be an issue during overnight trunking
• Many people find night driving more relaxing (but be careful that it’s not too relaxing or you may lose your level of alertness needed to drive safely)

Cons:

• Driving at night may disrupt your sleep pattern
• It may be easier to get lost on the roads as the dark will conceal signs and other landmarks that may give you a clue as to where you’re at

 

There’s no clear answer. In the end it is really a matter of preference, but we do hope the above has helped you come to your own decision!

If you have picked your favourite, be sure to let us know yours on Twitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to hear from you.

Or, if you like to read more of our news and blogs all about HGV driving and the warehousing and transport industries, please visit our website.

Finally, to find out more about HGV driving jobs at Barnes, keep an eye on our social media accounts or our jobs page.