Compared to other vehicles, trucks come with a myriad of complications and difficulties. This is why truck driving is considered a hard and dangerous job—after all, driving an 18-wheeler isn't an easy task.
Case in point, around 500,000 trucking accidents occur every year in the United States—with around 5,000 of these truck accidents resulting in death. This underscores the need for truck drivers to be conscious of their safety and of those around them while on the road.
Thus, truck drivers should have great skills, a thorough understanding of their responsibilities, and the ability to follow all safety guidelines and precautions. Above all, having common sense is a must. We've provided a list of safety tips for truck driving, to ensure the safety of motorists and other drivers alike.
Practicing defensive driving is a must for truckers, as it encourages them to consistently be on the lookout for any potential hazards and changes in roads or driving conditions—especially during winter weather. To stay safe, here are a few defensive driving techniques and driving safety tips.
One great driving safety tip is to check the condition of the vehicle. Check the oil and brakes, as long trips can slowly wear them down. There also have to be robust preventive check schedules based on mileage, days, and breakdown history. This will help avoid breakdowns and the need for vehicle repairs while on the road.
Another driving safety tip is to make sure that all trucks that drivers use are safe before they start driving. Pre- and post-trip inspections are required by the Department of State Travel.
To ensure whether or not driving safety practices are being followed, installing dashcams on each truck in the fleet is a must. This will provide footage to observe how drivers conduct themselves on the road and ensures an ample amount of evidence should truck drivers get into an accident.
Having an ample amount of rest can go a long way in improving one's physical and mental health, which is why giving drivers the freedom to rest when needed is necessary. This will also give them an opportunity to check their load, soft tires, air leaks, or any other things that can affect their travel.
Before traveling, it is also important to check on weather reports. Weather can affect road conditions—and no one wants to travel in any extreme weather condition. So keep an eye on the outside temperature and road conditions.
Knowing what to expect can help a driver be better prepared for bad weather driving and do the necessary precautions. Moreover, if the road is wet or icy, avoid letting them use the cruise control as it will be dangerous.
One of the most effective truck driver safety tips to avoid accidents and injuries while on the road is to pick a lane and staying in it. Should there be a need to change lanes, drivers should be aware of their blind spots and constantly check their mirrors. Big vehicles have major blind spots and chances of road accidents increase when truckers change lanes.
While driving, it's important to drive slowly and maintain extra following space or buffer zone for others. Take a long time to brake and ensure proper distance to avoid potential collisions from the vehicles in front and around the truck. Drivers need to know the safe braking distance and always leave plenty of room in front of the vehicle.
To make the roads safer, make sure drivers are aware of the speed limits and always follow the road signs for speed and workers who are directing traffic and work zones, as well as other hazards
To ensure that your drivers are safe while on the road, you need to educate them about what they need to do. Getting enough knowledge on defensive driving, having regular checks, securing inspection requirements, knowing weather conditions and your blind spot, among others, are some of the ways to increase safety. Aside from that, you also need to give them the right insurance so they are protected from whatever might happen.
It is necessary and important because it can prevent potential problems and maximize vehicle availability. This also proactively avoid or reduce vehicle breakdowns and accidents.
Here are the additional resources about trucking rules, policies, safety compliance and more.
When it comes to trucking and fleet preventive maintenance, this site is a great source of information. Check out this site for trucking programs, categories, rules, methods, checklists, scheduling, posts, and more.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large truck and buses.
Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. But the risks are greater for big vehicles like trucks and big rigs. That is why it is important for drivers to know all the safety guidelines for truck driving. These driving safety tips can go a long way. Moreover, another way to protect drivers is to get the right commercial truck insurance so you are always prepared for whatever might happen.
If you need help when it comes to finding the right insurance for your trucking business, we at Assured Standard can help. Protect the future of your business and talk to Assured Standard today!
