Truck drivers are often on the road for 11 hours a day and on duty for up to 70 hours over an 8-day period. In an industry where you’re driving for such long stretches of time, your risk of accidents and injuries goes up significantly, especially if you’re not conscious of safety practices that reduce that risk.
It’s important for safety to be in the forefront of a trucker’s mind, both for your own well-being and for that of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around you.
Safe Driving for Truckers
You need to know how to stay alert and also take care of your health on long journeys. Let’s take a look at some safe driving tips that all truckers should keep in mind.
Plan Ahead
When you’re making a delivery, you will already have an itinerary planned out or assigned to you by your employer. You know where to go and at what time to meet clients to pick up parcels.
However, it is essential to plan out details such as when and where you’ll stop for gas along the way and when you’ll take breaks. This will help you be more in control of your schedule and also ensure that you stay within the legal guidelines for how long you can be on the road at one time.
It’s also a good idea to keep your GPS handy, even if you know your route well, to keep an eye out for accidents or other roadblocks that could potentially slow you down or alter your route. The more you prepare ahead of time, the better off you’ll be if something unexpected happens during your trip.
Hydrate Well
Safe practices for truckers include taking care of yourself, which means remaining hydrated. Not only will you want to ensure that you are rested before you get into your cab, you want to hydrate properly so that you can remain awake and without headaches.
If you’re stuck in traffic, you can keep a cooler of bottled water in the cab with you so that you aren’t going to go thirsty. Of course, drinking too much can mean more toilet trips, but you can incorporate bathroom stops into your itinerary now that you’ve planned ahead!
Rest Often
Drowsy driving has been shown to have risks comparable to drunk driving. While some people recommend tips like drinking caffeine, chewing gum, or blasting the AC to keep you awake, these tips do not present a real solution or prevent you from driving drowsy in the first place. The only way to prevent drowsy driving is to get enough sleep.
If you feel drowsy while driving, pull over and take a power nap. And make sure that you’re getting enough sleep at night in the first place. If you anticipate driving for a long period of time when you’re likely to get tired, plan breaks to rest to avoid driving drowsy. Avoiding drowsy driving altogether is the best way to increase your chances of safe driving for truckers.
Get Familiar with Driving a Big Rig
Truck drivers who are just starting out may not be completely comfortable or familiar with the nuances and risks of driving a large truck. You should learn the blind spots to always check, appropriate speeds to drive at, and specific traffic laws related to large trucks and vehicles.
You won’t be able to stop or turn as quickly as you do in a smaller vehicle, so it’s vital that you become accustomed to how a large vehicle handles differently than other cars.
Pack the Cab
When you’re driving a truck across the country, you need to appropriately pack your cab with water, food, blankets, and emergency equipment in case of a breakdown. You should also have an emergency protocol in place so you know who to call if you do break down.
Be More Aware
It’s essential that you remain alert and aware of your surroundings. When you’re driving a large truck, you need to remain especially aware of other drivers on the road and how your driving affects them.
It can be easy to zone out when you’re driving, but that leads to mistakes and accidents. Consciously keep your attention focused on the road and your surroundings outside your cab.
Accidents Happen
No matter how many safety precautions you take, accidents will happen. In addition to practicing safe driving for truckers, you need to have the right insurance to ensure that you are covered regardless of the accident or incident on the road.
Trucking insurance is one safety measure that becomes essential when your best precautions fail. That’s why our final tip is teaming up with Bethany Insurance to get personalized trucking insurance with the right coverage you need. Contact us today to learn more!
