What if you’re not a passenger vehicle driver, but rather a truck driver? Although truckers drivers frequently fare better in crashes than other drivers, injuries and fatalities can occur, and you don’t want to live with the guilt. Driving a large rig, after all, is a responsibility not only to yourself but also to your company and every other driver and passenger on the road.
We tend to think of truck accidents as occurring at high speeds on highways (and they do), but every truck must eventually exit the highway to reach its final destination, and accidents can occur on local roads or near warehouses or other drop-off points as well.
Tips for truckers to avoid accidents
As you head out on a delivery, always keep these tips in your mind so you can help to prevent truck accidents:
Drive at a reasonable & legal speed
A speed limit is exactly that: a restriction. This is not a recommendation nor a bare minimum. It’s the top speed you’re allowed to travel on that particular section of road. If you’re driving in terrible weather or under other situations that make it safer to travel slowly, you’ll need to modify your speed.
You’ve got a job to do. Getting your cargo to its destination on time is an important element of your work. But if you don’t get it there safely, no one benefits – not your employer, and certainly not you.
Planning ahead
Making deliveries to new locations is an important part of being a truck driver. Before you go, familiarize yourself with your route, just like any other driver. Because trucks may not be allowed to utilize the same highways, entrances, exits, or underpasses as passenger cars, it’s a good idea to get a land map ahead of time if at all feasible.
A GPS is useful, but it isn’t always intended for the needs of a big rig. It isn’t a one-stop-shop for mapping either. It’s usually a good idea to review the map ahead of time and compare it to your GPS to get a complete picture of your trip. Know your bridge and trestle clearances ahead of time so you don’t cause an accident by being caught somewhere your vehicle can’t go.
Connect with customer
The majority of deadly truck accidents occur on roads, but every truck must depart a highway to reach a warehouse, retailer, or another delivery site. Local roads can be just as difficult (if not more difficult) to navigate as highways. Contact the customer service representative or manager at your delivery site.
Call ahead to let them know when you expect delivery and if there are any specific road hazards or exceptional conditions that may impede your drive. This will add a minute or two to your preparation time, but it will save you time and possibly danger you when you arrive.
Conduct pre-check
You should plan your delivery in the same way that you arrange your route. If you’re pulling into the back of a packed shopping Center or any other crowded area, keep in mind that passenger cars may take shortcuts where they don’t belong.
It’s also possible that there are additional delivery vehicles coming and exiting. If you don’t have a clear line of sight to where you need to go, park your truck, get out, and consider where you need to go and how you’ll get there. This can help you avoid hitting a pedestrian, rolling your truck, or blind-siding another vehicle.
Always rely on your spotter, but only to point
Having a spotter comes in handy in a variety of scenarios. But keep in mind that the spotter is usually only looking at one side of the truck. Perhaps they’re searching for overhead clearance rather than the front right corner.
Perhaps they’re looking at the back end of the trailer and not checking for clearance overhead. Because the spotter is only one person, you must also keep an eye on all of the points. If you need to get out of the driver’s seat to have a better view, go ahead and do so. It’s better goes to be safe than sorry.
Follow rules about driving hours, and get some sleep
The number of hours you can spend behind the wheel, the number of breaks you must take, and the quantity of sleep you must get are all strictly regulated. As a truck driver, these may be the most critical rules to observe. A sleepy driver is a risky driver.
You need to satisfy targets, make deliveries, and meet deadlines. It’s not an easy job, and executing it successfully necessitates a high level of efficiency. However, it’s critical to be efficient in ways that don’t compromise your sleep.
Never drive under the alcohol or drugs influence
Some tired truckers may be tempted to use stimulants. Like amphetamines or cocaine while driving. But this is not a safe remedy for driver fatigue.
When you use these substances to remain awake artificially, you increase your chances of speeding. That is making risky lane changes or making other poor moves. Plus, as the stimulants wear off, you’re more prone to fall asleep behind the wheel.
Always stay focused
Must avoid driving while distracted. Never send or read a text message or undertake any other task other than driving while driving. Follow the same principles as any other driver: plan your radio station, playlist, or other entertainment before you leave so you’re not distracted while driving.
Know about your vehicle
To drive a truck, you must have a valid CDL (commercial driver’s license). It’s critical that you understand the type of car you’re driving, how it works, and how to recognize when something is wrong.
Truck accidents are frequently caused by maintenance concerns. On the road, brake failure, cargo restraint failure, and steering issues can all lead to disaster. Recognize when a noise or rattle is a sign of a maintenance issue that must be addressed.
Know what you’re goes to hauling
Knowing what’s in the truck you’re driving may seem obvious, but if you’re an independent contractor or work via an employment agency. You could be driving for various companies every day.
However, it’s vital that you know what to do if there’s an emergency. And you’ve got a vehicle full of dangerous stuff. Even a little mishap can turn into a major issue. If your cargo contains substances that are hazardous if spilled into the air or water.
Conclusion
Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid everything, and even the most cautious driver might get into mishaps. However, by following these truck accident avoidance recommendations by Naraetruck and always driving with caution and common sense, you can perhaps escape a fatal type of circumstance.
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