You should never be cavalier about your personal safety at truck stops, and that applies to both men and women drivers. You’re tired, and all you want to do is rest, so your energy and awareness levels may be down, leaving you a bit more vulnerable. But by following a few practical precautionary measures, your time spent resting up at these areas will feel a lot safer.

Common sense precautions include making sure your doors are locked and keeping a cell phone and flashlight handy. It‘s also a good idea to check in with a friend or family member, if possible, to let them know where you have pulled over. While it may sound slightly extreme, consider carrying mase or pepper spray in your cab; chemical irritants like these may buy you a few extra but critical seconds to escape an unsafe situation if necessary.

If all of the usual truck stops are too crowded, and it’s well past the time you need to get your required rest, if you decide to sleep in your truck at an alternate location, make sure it’s at least in a well-lighted area that doesn’t have the appearance of an abandoned lot in the middle of nowhere. In these cases, it’s also important to practice “situational/geographic awareness,” meaning you could communicate to emergency personnel how to find you if you needed, especially if you aren’t near any kind of landmark like a traditional truck stop. (We must also remember truck driver Jason Rivenburg, who’s tragic death at an abandoned gas station must serve as a cautionary tale.)

While these safety tips apply to both men and women, lady truckers do have to be a little more cautious because we lack the physical strength to fend off potential harm-doers. If you are a woman, don’t broadcast that you are alone, and close your privacy curtain when you are parked so people can’t see inside your cab. Be vigilant of your truck stop surroundings, and always trust your instinct if you feel like something isn’t quite right. Another good idea is to park as close to the truck stop’s entrance as possible should you need to leave your truck.

It’s always good to have buddies who look out for you, so don’t be so fearful about disclosing information about yourself that you forget to be friendly. Your fellow truckers are (or at least should be) there to help and have each others’ back. A sense of camaraderie and trucker community can only add to your safety, security, and peace of mind.