Trucker Jim Tips: Save Your Skin! You Can Get Sunburned Even Through Glass

Prevent Getting Burnt

Trucker's tan it's no joke. At some point, you've probably experienced a tanned left forearm after driving in short sleeves. Although we work with a roof over our heads, we receive countless hours of sun exposure through our windows and windshield. The sun's UV rays are doing their work whether we notice it or not.

The problem goes beyond looking young. Skin cancer ranks among the deadliest forms of cancer, and truckers need to be especially cautious as a matter of health.

A few years ago, the story of an extreme case of trucker sunburn made the news. A 69-year-old veteran trucker had developed such terrible radiation burns while driving that the left side of his face was wrinkled, leathery, and sagging while the right side of his face appeared in pretty good shape for his age.

This isn't an isolated case, either. Studies show that more than half of all melanoma cases occur on the left side of the body. Getting behind the wheel means exposing yourself to sun damage.

Sun Protection Tips for Truck Drivers

Glass blocks some UV rays, but not completely. They come in UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Glass can stop most UVC rays, but those are not the main cause of aging and cancer. UVA and UVB penetrate automotive glass and these are the forms of sunlight that lead to tanning, wrinkling, aging, and various forms of skin cancer.

Truckers, do yourself a favor and protect your skin:

• Wear sunscreen rated at SPF 30 or greater. Even when it's not very bright or hot out low sun in the morning and evening is what causes truckers the biggest problem
• Wear long sleeves when appropriate
• Driving gloves make a great choice, too
• Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV damage. Gray or brown lenses work best for driving.We've got your back, truckers

Follow the TruckerTrucker.com blog for helpful tips and advice from your fellow drivers.