Wondering what are some driving safety tips? If yes, then this post is for you!
Being a professional truck driver is a challenging and risky job.
Driving professionally involves a lot of talent, a lot of responsibility for other people’s safety, and a lot of common sense.
Safety consciousness is essential.
It is what will keep you alive during those anxious times that happen when operating a vehicle.
These truck driving safety tips are meant to serve as a basic reminder.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS use your best judgment and common sense while keeping in mind any specific guidelines or directions provided by your carrier.
Top 10 Truck Driving Safety Tips
Stay Alert
- Be aware of everything that is happening.
- Always keep an eye out for traffic and obstacles surrounding your vehicle.
- Always have an “exit route” in mind when driving down the highway, especially in heavy traffic.
- Always pay attention to who is in front of, beside, and behind you. Know everything so you can respond appropriately if and when it’s required.
- You perform at your best when you are well-rested.
- If used effectively by the carrier, the electronic logbook system can offer a way for drivers to remain well-rested.
Check The Weather Reports
Before leaving on a trip, be mindful of the weather. While traveling, keep an eye on the forecast as often as you can.
To be aware of shifting road conditions, keep an eye on the weather outside. An experienced truck driver can take the essential safety procedures and be more prepared for traveling in inclement weather, as part of smart travel preparation.
Avoid Traffic
Avoid driving during periods of heavy traffic and peak traffic if possible. The likelihood of an accident increases with traffic density.
Examine Delivery Locations On Foot
This is one of the truck driving safety tips that truckers tend to disregard the most.
When delivering something, especially to a new client, pick a secure parking spot, leave your truck there for five minutes, and then look around.
Often, shippers will say that there are trucks in their place all the time and that it’s fine.
Instead of taking their word for it, verify it by yourself. The docking facility may not be suited for heavy rigs or a vehicle could easily become stranded and unable to turn around.
You can identify potential roadblocks, such as low fire hydrants, poles, ditches, etc., by stepping out of your truck and looking around on your own.
Make a mental image of the location. Simply driving in will not help you from noticing the dangers.
Also, keep in mind that a lot of truck accidents occur while backing up. Everyone pays a price for accidents, and they can drastically damage your driving record.
Take Extra Caution At Night
Always drive with additional caution at night, especially while making tight turns. Too many truckers have left truck stops at night thinking they were going on the road, only to drive straight into a ditch, crashing into the back of a trailer, and strike lamp posts in the front.
Move carefully and cautiously, especially when it’s dark, and always be on the lookout.
Give Enough Space In Front Of Your Rig
Even though going 50 mph when everyone else is going 65 mph can be quite unpleasant, it can keep you out of trouble. You and your truck will be protected by this “buffer zone” or “cushion” in front of your trailer.
Typically, if something goes wrong, it’s likely to happen before you. You will have more time to “correct” and slow down, if necessary, the more open space there is in front of you and your unit.
Fewer Lane Changes Are Preferred
Choose a lane, and REMAIN in it. Normally, cars will swerve and shift lanes, and if you need to switch lanes, do it very carefully. Be mindful of your blind areas and periodically check your mirrors.
Every time a car changes lanes, an accident is likely to happen. In the event of a collision, the other car will almost certainly be at fault rather than you if you had kept your lane position.
Take the second lane from the right as you enter a city from the interstate to avoid merging traffic. Cars enjoy dodging everywhere and hugging the right lane. They don’t usually combine. It appears that merging is a skill that not many people don’t do anymore.
Take Advantage Of The Trucker’s GPS
There are GPS apps made specifically for truckers that will display important information like the best exit to take, the distance to the exit, when to change lanes, etc. Most are not free but they are well worth the price. These devices can be of great assistance and help the driver feel much less stressed, especially while traveling through uncharted territory.
Although they might be an excellent tool, do not rely entirely on them. Do cross-check your results with several other sources, including an actual map.
Slow Down
This is one of the most crucial truck driving safety tips for truckers, and something that should be emphasized a lot of times. In terms of handling and braking, large trucks are far from Ferraris.
Proceed carefully around turns and up slopes. On ramps, there are speed signs for vehicles only — not for heavy rigs, even if you cause traffic delays, it’s irrelevant. The main goals should be to get around a corner and remain “upright.”
Maintain control as you move slowly. In a parking lot, you don’t need to shift up to second gear. Want to know where you can go at high speeds safely? Possibly in the flats along I-80 in the center of Wyoming on a clear day. The key is to take extra caution and be in control whenever you are driving.
Take Regular Breaks And Inspect Your Vehicle
- We don’t know who needs to hear this but it’s necessary to take a pause regularly from driving. Do some stretching, take a stroll around the trailer and truck, verify your load, and check for soft tires, air leaks, and any coolant or oil dripping under the truck.
- Whether you’re a seasoned or a newbie in driving, you should never skip any driving safety precautions. By skipping stages, you put both your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road at risk.
- Remember that arriving safely is always preferable, regardless of how hot your load is.
- Even your employment as a driver is not worth putting your life in danger for.
These are just some of the truck driving safety tips you can consider. If we missed anything, feel free to share them in the comment section below.
Have a safe drive!
