Truck Driving: Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Truck driving is one of the most dangerous works in the world. Additionally, trucksare associated with the most fatal accidents compared to small vehicles due to the large size and type of cargo they transport. Recently, road accidents involving truck drivers have increased and this poses risks to the driver and road users. The reason why cases of truck accidents are rising is due to being on the road for long hours, diverse weather conditions when moving from city to city, encountering irresponsible road users, and carrying heavyweight cargo. Truck accidents can be reduced by practicing safety tips. Truck drivers need to be educated on ways to minimize the risks of accidents by following safety tips, as we will see in this article.

Practice Good Driving Habits

Truck drivers need to acquire excellent driving habits that will act as life-saving practices. They must practice defensive driving and be on the lookout for potential dangers and changes of conditions on the roads they are using. Drivers should be encouraged to minimize the risk of deadly crashes and injuries by forestalling hazardous situations and making informed and safe decisions. With good driving habits, the risks of accidents are reduced. A good driver must make calculated, tactical, and wise decisions.

Some essential driving habits truck drivers should practice include;

• Wearing safety belts to be protected from distracted drivers, bad weather conditions, and blinding caused by flashlights.
• Avoid driving under alcohol or drug influence. Driving under influence causes drowsiness, blurred vision, reduced concentration, and nausea increasing the risk of accidents.
• Watch out for blind spots. Truck drivers need to look over their shoulders and out the window when changing lanes to avoid blind spot accidents since rear-view and side mirrors are not effective.
• Be prepared for emergencies. Weather conditions can change, especially when driving over long distances. Truck drivers should be prepared by carrying snacks, water cans, first aid kits, and blankets to deal with unexpected weather changes.

Develop Preventive Maintenance Schedules

Driver’s safety starts with vehicle safety. Truck owners should ensure that the vehicles are safe for use and that drivers are safe when using them. Trucks that aren’t maintained regularly tend to be more risky to drive as they can break anytime on the road. It is wise to use telematics devices to have real-time visibility into engine data. This data helps mechanics to create better preventative maintenance schedules based on truck history. They also get real-time alerts on faults and respond faster. Regular updates and proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of breakdowns and accidents while trucks are on routes.

Conduct Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections

Even if the vehicle is maintained, it wouldn’t hurt to conduct regular vehicle inspection to ensure that trucks are safe for the road before driver kick start their journey. Most truck drivers might undermine the importance of pre-trip inspection and find themselves in trouble during the journey. Ensure that the truck is competent for driving by checking its brakes, tires, clutch, lights, shock absorbers, and weight and height limitations. To enhance driver’s safety, use tools that take thorough inspection to identify any issue that needs to be repaired before commencing the truck.

Conduct Driver Risk Assessment

Truck driving is the riskiest driving on the road. This calls for the need of truck drivers to enhance their competency by going through intensive training. Drivers should also go through riskassessments to determine if they are fit for driving by evaluating their history, driving behavior, and habits. Employers should make risk assessments for drivers mandatory when hiring and trusting them with trucks. This minimizes accident risks, improves road safety, enhances operational efficiency, and enhances compliance to driving regulations. It also helps identify drivers posing the greatest risks and develop training programs to enhance their skills.

Coach Drivers How to Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving has been proved to be the lead cause of truck accidents. Being distracted by other things while driving whether they are across the road on inside the vehicle can increase the risk of accident by taking away they attention from the road or their hands from the steering wheel. Distraction ranges from piping on the window to stare at something and eating while driving. However, the most common distraction is the use of mobile phones while driving. Most accidents have been a result of truck drivers using their phones to text while driving. Truck owners should install AI cameras that in order identify distracted drivers. With AI cameras, those monitoring the drive will know when they are distractedthrough their head positions and help them reduce the risk of accidents and enhancing safety for truck drivers and other road users. Drivers need to be coached on good driving habits and the need to avoid being distracted while on the road.

Have Tools to Respond to Road Condition Changes

 Road conditions are unpredictable, especially for long-distance travel. Truck drivers travel across cities and states, meaning they are on the road for long hours. The conditions might change and impact the safety of the driver. Things such as traffic cause vehicles to constantly stop and go, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Bad weather conditions like rain and snow can impact the visibility of the driver or make the road surface more slippery and increase the risk of accidents. Drivers should always have tools to help them cope with road condition changes. Tools such as life weather and traffic maps keep the driver informed on road conditions, guiding them on which routes are safe or not safe for driving.

Encourage Rest Breaks

Rest breaks are significant for safe driving as they give drivers time to reenergize for their journey. Drivers are encouraged to take at least at least to rest after every eight hours of driving. They should also rest for 10 or 11 hours after a trip before returning to duty to ensure their bodies and minds are well-settled for work. In addition to taking breaks, truck drivers should always prioritize their safety and that of other road users. This means they should take additional breaks while on the route in case they feel tired, sleepy, or impaired. Fatigue can contribute to the risk of accidents, and that is why drivers should take enough rest to increase road safety.

In conclusion, truck driving is risky and is among the highest cause of fatal road accidents. It is, therefore, important to train truck drivers on how and why they should prioritize their safety and that of other motorists. Drivers should practice good driving habits and defensive driving, take rest breaks, and have tools to respond to condition changes. Employers should conduct driver risk assessments and pre-trip inspections, maintain trucks regularly, and coach drivers on how to avoid distracted driving. Following all these tips helps minimize accident risks and improve truck driver safety while on the road.