As Santa’s helpers, truck and delivery drivers make many sacrifices over the course of the holiday season. Being away from loved ones can be especially challenging this time of year. However, we believe it is important that you still celebrate on the road. Our Lee-Smith team has put together a list of ways to enjoy the season with your family and make the holidays special no matter where you are. 

The Gift of Technology
Truckers, we know you use technology every single day. We think we can all agree that GPS is one of the greatest inventions of all time. Facetime, Zoom, and Skype rank right up there with it. Video calling your loved ones is a great way to still be involved in making holiday memories. If your family watches a certain Christmas movie or reads a special story each year, you can join them! You can also enjoy a meal with them over the phone. It may not be the same as being with your family in person, but seeing their faces and hearing their voices is sure to bring a smile to your face. 

Elf on the… Road
Elf on the Shelf is all the rage these days. As truck drivers, you have a really cool opportunity to take this tradition to a whole new level. If you have little ones, then take an elf with you on the road. Take photos and videos of the elf enjoying adventures. Your kids will have some really cool stories to tell their friends about how their elf caused mischief at a truck stop or saw the world’s largest rubber band ball. 

Take Home With You
Your cab is your home away from home, so why not make it feel like home? Decorate it with family photos. Bring along blankets and trinkets that remind you of home. For the holidays, you can even get a battery-powered Christmas tree and hang some lights. Also, if you get to head home before you venture back out, take some of your favorite foods and goodies with you. 

Eat With Fellow Truck Drivers
You're bound to run into other truck drivers at a restaurant or truck stop who are in the same situation as you. This is a great opportunity to celebrate together and provide each other with some much-needed company. If you have time, grab a meal together. It may not be your usual Christmas dinner, but the holidays are about sharing joy and love with others. 

Be Flexible with Your Holiday Schedule
Just because Christmas is on December 25th doesn’t mean your family can’t celebrate it at a time that works for everyone. By planning your celebration around your schedule, you can make it home for all of the exciting moments. Plus, who doesn’t want a few extra days to sing Christmas carols and watch classic holiday films?

One Last Word
To every driver who will be working over the holidays, thank you. It is because of you that families will get to exchange gifts and gather around the table together for Christmas dinner. You all keep our world going, and we will never be able to thank you enough for the sacrifices you make each and every day. 

Dear Truck & Delivery Drivers.

Unprecedented times. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard what feels like a million times since March of 2020. When the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States and changed the way we live, a number of heroes stepped up to the plate to ensure we would have what we needed. Doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to help the sick. Teachers taught from their living rooms virtually to help kids stay ahead. Grocery store workers, food service workers, and many other front line employees went above and beyond to help when there were more questions than answers. All of these individuals are incredible, but we want to highlight the heroes who drove overnight to deliver PPE and toilet paper. The truck drivers who worked overtime to keep store shelves stocked. The local delivery drivers who worked to ensure every online order was delivered while the country was shut down. 

This letter is for you, truck and delivery drivers. Looking back over the past almost two years, we know things have not been easy. However, you all never backed down, and your hard work did not go unnoticed. To be honest, you all saved countless lives because you made sure hospitals had the supplies they needed to help COVID patients. Those of you who deliver food to schools made it possible for them to put together meals students could pick up so they would have something to eat while they learned from home. Then once the coronavirus vaccine was ready, you all helped distribute it across the country so that we could begin returning to our normal lives. No matter what role you played, you made a difference.

You know, several years back, CDL Life wrote an article about what would happen if trucks just stopped. In less than a day, we would begin to feel the impact because hospitals would begin running out of basic supplies. Within 2-3 days, food shortages would become a major issue, and gas stations would run out of fuel. CDL Life says that within a month, clean water would be scarce and people would begin getting sick because of their weakened immune systems. As you can see, you all are a necessity to our country. Next time you begin feeling stressed or tired on the job, just remember that all of us at Lee-Smith appreciate you and the work you do every single day. 

As we approach the holiday season, we know you all are going to become even busier as you help Santa deliver. If your truck or delivery vehicle begins acting up during this season, we are here to help just like always. All you have to do is give us a call at 423-622-4161. Our service team is honored to serve you and help you get back on the road. 

Never forget that we have your back. Keep up the good work. 

Sincerely, 

Lee-Smith, Inc. 

Sleep is free, but many people don’t get enough of it. It’s recommended by the CDC that adults get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can have serious consequences for anyone behind the wheel. Six in 10 drivers have admitted to driving a vehicle when they struggled to keep their eyes open according to the National Sleep Foundation. Truck drivers, this statistic is extremely important because you are surrounded by other drivers on the road who may be dozing off. Driving drowsy is dangerous, and our Lee-Smith team wants to help keep you and all other drivers safe on the road. Here are some important tips to help you stay safe and awake.


Tip 1: Know the Signs of Drowsy Driving
Have you ever found yourself forgetting the last few miles you drove? This has probably happened to all of us at one time or another. However, it is one of the main signs that you need to get some rest. Other signs to watch for include yawning repeatedly, blinking frequently and rubbing your eyes. You may also miss an exit or a turn because you’re struggling to focus. If you think you need to take a break and get some zzz’s, then you probably do. Unfortunately, you cannot be responsible for other drivers on the road who may be driving drowsy, but you can watch their driving for signs of drowsiness. If you notice other vehicles around you driving recklessly or drifting between lanes, keep a good distance between you and them. 


Tip 2: Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a late-night burger right before you drift off to dreamland isn’t ideal. Instead, try to create a routine so that you eat around the same time each day. We know this can be difficult to do as a truck or delivery driver, but try to stay on schedule when possible. If you do feel the need to grab a snack before bed, choose something light. Not eating at regular times or skipping meals can lead to fatigue. Fatigue can cause memory lapses, lack of awareness, reduced attention, and slower reaction times. All of these can hinder your ability to drive safely. 


Tip 3: Take a Nap
If you find yourself struggling to stay awake in the middle of the day, then pull over and take a quick nap. Naps should last between 10-45 minutes according to the National Sleep Foundation. Contrary to popular belief, drinking coffee does not have the same effect on you as taking a nap. Sure, caffeine can help you stay awake, but you’re right back to where you started once the effects of it wear off. Also, don’t try to keep yourself awake by rolling down a window or blasting the radio. These tricks will not cure your drowsiness and can make things worse since they are distracting. 


Tip 4: Be Extra Careful When Driving at Night
Many commercial drivers need to drive overnight to reach their destination on time. However, your body is wired to feel naturally drowsy after midnight. If you have to drive overnight, make sure to get enough sleep during the day to help you stay awake and drive safely. Also, be prepared to be an overly defensive driver because other drivers around you may be falling asleep at the wheel. 


One Last Word
Drivers, you are important, and we always want you to arrive at your destination safely. Stay tuned for additional safety tips that we will feature in our blog from time to time. You can also follow us on social media. Please take the necessary precautions to ensure that you won’t have to drive drowsy. As always, stay safe!