Whether you're driving alone or with other people, driving safely should always be your main priority. We're more distracted than ever, and therefore in order to drive properly, it's essential to understand the fundamentals of safe driving and to put them into practice whenever you're on the road.
Driving professionally requires great skill, a great deal of consideration for the safety of others, and a great deal of common sense. Maintaining your drivers' on-road safety is essential. You may improve the safety of your truck drivers by fostering a working culture that actively coaches, trains, and rewards the safest drivers. To increase the overall level of road accidents safety, read on for the best truck driving advice and tips from top experts.
Driving a truck can be hard work, but someone has to do it. The front seat of the trucker cab is the truck driver's office. In the back is the trucker's bedroom with a truck mattress. They provide a vital service that keeps the economy going by getting goods from point A to point B and wherever they need to be.
While the road offers some flexibility, there is pressure to deliver on time. One of the keys to on-time delivery is ensuring safety. Here are some tips to help keep truck drivers safe and healthy.
“When in doubt, break early. HOS requires commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to take breaks at predetermined intervals. For instance, according to HOS truck driver limits, CMV drivers are required to take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving followed by another 10–11 hour break before returning to work.”, - noted one of our experts.
“Use tools that help you respond to changes in road conditions. You can use technology to stay informed about changes in the weather, traffic patterns, and road conditions. You should utilize our commercial vehicle and truck routing software, particularly if you are a long-haul truck driver that travels across several states or regions in a matter of days. To assist you in avoiding traffic congestion, severe weather, and other situations that can endanger your safety on the road, this app uses real-time data”.
Heavy loads are frequently carried by truck drivers, making it challenging to maintain control in an emergency. Truck drivers also need to allow more time to slow down because huge trucks take longer to stop than passenger cars.
Be sure to apply the brakes before the last second if there may be traffic as you approach a stop sign or red light. Instead, keep a safe stopping distance to prevent collisions with trucks.
The same essential safety measures are required on snowy roads, construction zones, uneven road surfaces, and shifting road conditions. Slow down if you find that you need more preparation so that you have more time to respond if something unanticipated occurs.
Also, check out these 8 tips for safety from our experts when hauling oversized cargo.
As with driving any vehicle, your chances of being killed are almost 25 times greater if you are thrown from your car during an accident. Seat belts can keep you from being thrown out the window, dragged across the road, or crushed by your or another vehicle.
Truck drivers have their own speed limits for a reason. Trucks have much less control when driving at high speeds than do cars. Speed limits on curves and entrances/exits are designed for smaller vehicles, not larger trucks. Studies show that large trucks often lose control or roll over when entering a turn with a speed limit in place because of their high center of gravity.
Consider taking a detour or stopping to wait out the storm. Poor weather conditions are responsible for 25 percent of the fatalities associated with speeding heavy vehicles. Drivers should reduce speed by a third on wet roads and by half or more on snowy streets.
Truck drivers have many blind spots and no rearview mirror. Never rely on other drivers to avoid blind spots; they may not be aware of the size of your vehicle's blind spot. Check your mirrors every 5-8 seconds and before you change lanes, turn, or merge. This will help you keep track of changing traffic patterns around your truck.
Pay attention to the road. Don't get distracted behind the wheel or talk on your phone. To safely reduce speed, the driver of a commercial vehicle should look ahead for at least 15 seconds (a quarter mile on the interstate and a block and a half in town). Paying close attention to the road ahead helps avoid sudden braking situations and potential accidents.
If you're sleepy, pull over. Studies show that being awake for 18 hours is comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent, which is not good. Take care of yourself and the motorists around you. Always look out for signs of drowsiness, such as frequent yawning, heavy eyes, blurred vision, and distraction. Don't lose your job or, worse, don't kill someone. Stop and stay safe.
Commercial truck drivers encounter special difficulties on the road since they travel great distances. Unfamiliar driving circumstances, such as bad weather or mechanical problems, can be uncomfortable and dangerous.
Truck drivers maintain supplies in their cabs such as water, food, a first aid kit, additional clothes, and blankets so they can wait for repairs comfortably if necessary to decrease the effect of these crises.
Commercial truck drivers face unique challenges on the road since they cover such vast distances. Uncomfortable and risky driving conditions can include inclement weather or mechanical issues.
In order to lessen the impact of these emergencies, truck drivers keep supplies in their cabs, including water, food, a first aid kit, extra clothing, and blankets, so they may wait for repairs in comfort if necessary.
Given that they travel such great distances, commercial truck drivers encounter special difficulties on the road. Inclement weather or mechanical problems can create uncomfortable and dangerous driving circumstances.
Truck drivers maintain supplies in their cabs, such as water, food, a first aid kit, additional clothing, and blankets, so they may wait for repairs comfortably if necessary in order to decrease the impact of these accidents.
“Staying fit, eating right, and preventing injuries are important parts of being a safe truck driver. Truck drivers are on the road for long periods of time, and health problems are part of their job if they don't take care of themselves. A big part of truck driver safety has less to do with your vehicle and more with you. Getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, and spending quality time at home will all help you feel more satisfied and rested behind the wheel” - this is what the experts in the trucking industry always recommend.
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