Sunday, September 5, 2021

Safety First

Today’s newer rigs come well equipped with a many advanced safety features compared to older models. But your best defence is first and foremost your safety awareness

Professional truck drivers come with many levels of experience and skill. But even if you’re a seasoned pro, and if many basic safety reminders seem obvious, it never hurts to review driving tips that put safety first.

12 Professional Truck Driver Safety Tips

Pay attention. Always know what’s around you—front, back, both sides—and be aware of your escape route.
Avoid distraction. Keep your focus on the road, not on your phone or radio.
Keep an eye on the weather. Winter is coming, and the fall can present surprises. Know what weather you are in for along your route, and what the outside temperature is. Hard early morning frosts can make roads treacherous.
Avoid peak traffic. It’s not always possible, but avoid driving during peak times to minimize traffic or find alternates that are less heavily travelled.
Check your delivery location. Park your truck before unloading and walk around and check out the location. This gives you a picture of the area, including hazards and whether you can get in and out easily. Lots of accidents happen when backing up.
Be extra careful at night. It’s easy to leave a truck stop and end up in the ditch thinking you’re heading for the road. Reduce your speed and be extra cautious.
Always leave a buffer zone. It just may save your life or the life of another motorist. Pay extra attention to your follow space to give yourself plenty of time to react to what’s coming ahead of you, especially at night and during the winter.
Minimize lane changes. You’ve all seen cars dodging all around you. Pick your lane and stay in it. Odds of an accident increase significantly when you change lanes.
Use a trucker’s GPS. These units cost more but are worth the money as they display which exit to take, distance before exit, when to change lanes, traffic reports, and other details.
Rest. Lack of sleep can be as dangerous as impairment from alcohol or drugs. Be sure you are well rested. Take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and get your blood circulating.
Check your truck often. While you’re taking a break, walk around your truck and do a quick visual inspection to see if any of the tires are soft or if oil or coolant are leaking.
Slow down. This is the number one safety tip of professional drivers. Never drive as fast as you think you can manage. Drive at a safe, controlled speed, and watch your speed on ramps and parking lots.

Source: smart-trucking.com

Safety First

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