01/06/2022
9 Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
1. Get enough rest. Plan your day with your hours of service in mind so youโll be alert when itโs time to drive. Still, if you feel drowsy, pull over and take a nap. Donโt risk driving while sleepy.
2. Slow down in work zones. Lanes are often moved or redirected during construction; adjust your speed so you can follow the provided signage without endangering yourself, other drivers, or the workers.
3. Be aware of your blind spots. Small cars can be easily missed. Signal your intention to change lanes or turn well in advance, so that cars have enough opportunity to get out of your blind spot. You might also invest in extra side mirrors to improve visibility. More and more, weโre seeing videos made by truckers on the road of things that car drivers do without consideration for a truck. A dash cam that can show you your blind spots could pay for itself.
4. Maintain a safe distance from the cars in front of you. We know that it will take you much longer to stop than an average car. Do car drivers know it? Defensive driving is a critical skill โ as is not succombing to road rage. Keep it cool.
5. Regularly inspect your brakes. There isnโt always a convenient runaway truck ramp nearby to catch you if your brakes go bad.
6. Follow suggested speed limits. And when youโre in construction zones, remember that the speed may be reduce and the fines for speeding increased.
7. Avoid aggressive drivers. Now that all of us have phones in our trucks, when you see a car driver whose driving is dangerous, call for the highway patrol to see what they can do for help. Donโt get caught up in road rage scenarios; antagonizing aggressive drivers will only escalate the situation.
8. Always, always, always wear your seat belt. Come on, man, do we need to say that?
9. Avoid driving under the influence. Itโs not just illegal drugs and alcholol. Beware of the effects of prescription and OTC drugs; many medications make you drowsy. And watch the Red Bull or other highly caffienated drinks. When the buzz wears off, you might be too exhausted to drive safely.
By making these suggestions habits, truckers can avoid getting personally acquainted with highway patrolman, accident lawyers, insurance auditors, and DOT representatives.
Happy Haulin!