Have you ever driven under hazardous road conditions or witnessed reckless driving by other motorists? There are numerous dangers that truck drivers must deal with on the job every day, including rain, fog, snow, and ice.
Another reason is that distracted driving, or using a cell phone instead of paying attention to the road, has become one of the most lethal risks on American highways as a result of technological and social changes. Another thing to be concerned about is aggressive driving, especially in big cities and when people don't drive safely in the winter.
Being a safe driver is essential given all these possible risks, and getting home to your family safely is a trucker's first priority.
Hence, Trucker Social has come up with a list of driver safety tips.
- Pre and Post Trip Inspection
Inspections before and after a journey are crucial for identifying equipment flaws before they endanger your safety. Due to the significance of these inspections, federal regulations mandate that you conduct at least one inspection daily and record it in your hours of service log. Pay particular attention to your braking system, which consists of an air compressor, air brake lines, brake pads, drums etc.
- Maintenance Schedules
To operate a commercial vehicle safely, maintaining a regular preventative maintenance routine is imperative. According to the FMCSA, tractor trailer accidents frequently result from maintenance problems. Work with a mechanic to create a schedule if you don't already have one. If you operate a fleet, your employer's shop will give you a maintenance schedule that you must probably adhere to.
- Drive Defensively
Because you have no power over other drivers on the road and you can't presume they are driving defensively, defensive driving is your best option for defending yourself. In actuality, the majority of drivers will agree that they are unable to maneuver safely around large trucks. A University of Michigan Transportation Institute study found that autos, not trucks, are to blame for 81–91% of collisions involving commercial vehicles.
Remember to be mindful of your blind spots, which include the area 10-15 feet in front of you, the area directly behind your trailer, the area on the passenger side from the door to the back of your sleeper unit, and the area on the driving side from the front bumper to the nose of the trailer. You can maintain 360-degree awareness at all times by checking your mirrors every 3 to 5 seconds.
- Avoid Distractions
One of the biggest risks to your safety on the road nowadays is distracted driving. The FMCSA states that "truck and bus drivers who are texting while operating are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash, near-crash, or inadvertent lane deviation." Additionally, a person takes their eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds on average, which at 55 mph translates to 371 feet traveled. That much time would allow for a youngster to dart into the street, a car to swerve in front of you, or the truck in front of you to blow a steering tire and flip over. Thus remain cautious and focused while driving.
- Remain Predictable
Always remember that most drivers on the road have no idea how to drive around a big commercial truck. Thus, use a predictable driving style when driving your big truck to keep you and others safe. How? By taking turns more slowly. Prior to making a turn or lane change, turn your turn signal on. Steer clear of frequent, pointless lane changes. The ability to always keep a truck between the lines is the most obvious indicator of a skilled truck driver.
In other words, keep within your lane, and you'll look beautiful while staying safe.
Remember that large trucks take longer to stop, just like you do if there is another one behind you and you need to turn. Earlier signals and slower speeds will give them more time to respond.
When it's possible, keep your speed constant. Speeding up and slowing down might congest the area surrounding you with traffic and reduce the safe space around your car.
Also, avoid attempting to pass a business truck if you can't do it swiftly. Increase the safety cushion 360 degrees surrounding your truck, doing so will just cause a traffic bottleneck around you.
- Situational Awareness
American sports coaches are known for their advice to "keep your head on a swivel." That piece of advice is also applicable to transportation. You can prevent accidents and adapt to changing road conditions by always keeping a good situational awareness of what is going on around you. Every 3–5 seconds, make it a habit to check your mirrors on the driver's and passenger's sides. By doing this, you'll be able to keep your "head on a swivel" position and be aware of everything around your truck.
Trucker Social firmly believes that your top priorities should always be working safely, driving safely, and getting back home to your family. No cargo is more important than your life. Drive defensively at all times, pay attention to your blind zones, pull over if you get fatigued, and keep your head up.
Have a happy trucking!