By using nine good motoring habits, truckers can continue to ride the highways in a safe manner. After all, no one wants to add the information of a truck accident to their financial or DOT records, even if they have easy-to-use, online truck expense management software.
Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
1. Get enough rest. Plan your day with your hours of service in mind so you’ll be alert when it’s time to drive. Still, if you feel drowsy, pull over and take a nap. Don’t risk driving while sleepy.
2. Slow down in work zones. Lanes are often moved or redirected during construction; adjust your speed so you can follow the provided signage without endangering yourself, other drivers, or the workers.
3. Be aware of your blind spots. Small cars can be easily missed. Signal your intention to change lanes or turn well in advance, so that cars have enough opportunity to get out of your blind spot. You might also invest in extra side mirrors to improve visibility. More and more, we’re seeing videos made by truckers on the road of stupid and dangerous things that car drivers do without consideration for a truck. A dash cam that can show you your blind spots could pay for itself.
4. Maintain a safe distance from the cars in front of you. We know that it will take you much longer to stop than an average car. Do car drivers know it? Defensive driving is a critical skill – as is not succumbing to road rage. Keep it cool.
5. Regularly inspect your brakes. There isn’t always a convenient runaway truck ramp nearby to catch you if your brakes go bad.
6. Follow suggested speed limits. And when you’re in construction zones, remember that the speed may be reduced and the fines for speeding increased.
7. Avoid aggressive drivers. Now that all of us have phones in our trucks, when you see a car driver whose driving is dangerous, call for the highway patrol to see what they can do for help. Don’t get caught up in road rage scenarios; antagonizing aggressive drivers will only escalate the situation.
8. Always, always, always wear your seat belt. Come on, man, do we need to say that?
9. Avoid driving under the influence. It’s not just illegal drugs and alcohol. Beware of the effects of prescription and OTC drugs; many medications make you drowsy. And watch the Red Bull or other highly caffeinated drinks. When the buzz wears off, you might be too exhausted to drive safely.
By making these suggestions habits, truckers can avoid getting personally acquainted with highway patrolman, accident lawyers, insurance auditors, and DOT representatives. Instead, these dedicated freight movers will enjoy the camaraderie of other truck drivers, rest stop acquaintances, and happy freight companies.
The 10th Trucking Safety Tip
Being a professional trucker can be a difficult and dangerous job. Regardless of how safety-conscious you are, other drivers on the highway can suddenly put you in a life-threatening situation. With that in mind, we’d like to recommend the 10th trucking safety tip:
10. Never skip tips one through nine. Nothing is worth risking a life for, so take time to follow the 9 safety guidelines above. Trucking companies rely on their drivers to practice trucking safety procedures while on the road. Also, all of those other drivers on the road depending on your expertise as well. Know the safety guidelines and follow them, always.
Yeah, that’s meta, but it’s true. The above 10 tips will keep you alive if you’re faced with one of those unpredictable moments that can arise while you’re behind the wheel.
Of course, trucking safety requires a great amount of skill, but it also requires a lot of common sense and too much recordkeeping.