5 Essential Safety Tips Every Trucker Should Follow On The Road 

Ensuring the safety of your drivers on roadways is of utmost importance for more than simply their health. Both their well-being and the well-being of other drivers on the road affect your bottom line. As one of the more hazardous American industries, the trucking business has been singled out by the DOL.  

The rates of workplace injuries and deaths in the transportation and logistics industries are among the highest, and they appear to be increasing annually. Not only will you be protecting your drivers, but you may also save insurance premiums, claim payouts, and accident-related expenses.  

Fortunately, if you want your truck drivers to be safer on the job, you could establish a culture that encourages and recognizes those who drive safely. Keep reading for some of our top safety advice, suggestions for truck drivers, and ways to make your fleet more secure. 

Instruct your drivers to always drive defensively.

The practice of defensive driving emphasizes the need for truck drivers to be alert at all times, not just for changes in traffic or road conditions but also for any dangers. Even if you go through several pieces of Truck Driver News, you’ll be suggested to follow specific ways of driving.  

Besides, it is strongly advised that drivers lessen the likelihood of severe accidents and injuries by being alert to possible hazards and making prudent, educated decisions when driving.  

Defensive driving reduces the likelihood of accidents, which means you spend less for repairs, have less to pay out in claims and pay less for insurance. 

If you want your drivers to be safe on the road, you should stress the following defensive driving techniques: 

• Be wary of blind spots: because of the size and height of their vehicles, drivers of tractor-trailers and reefers may have trouble seeing vehicles directly behind or even next to them. The term "blind spot" refers to the region immediately surrounding a vehicle that the driver cannot see. The NHTSA reports that blind spots are responsible for more than 840,000 incidents annually.  

• Rehearse the three-second routine: Drivers should keep a safe distance from one another by adhering to the three-second rule, which can help them prevent frontal and rear-end incidents. According to this regulation, truck drivers must give themselves three whole seconds to get to a given location on the road before passing the vehicle in front of them. Drivers should add five seconds to the following time if there is strong rain or winds.  
• In an emergency, be ready: Driving, particularly long distances, can be dangerous since weather conditions can change suddenly. Instruct your drivers to have a plan B ready in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as poor weather or mechanical failure. When drivers prepare their vehicles with essentials like water, food, a first aid kit, a change of clothes, and blankets, they are better able to handle unforeseen circumstances that can force them to stop the road or wait for repairs. 

2. Develop preventative maintenance schedules 

The security of the cars your drivers operate is paramount to their well-being. Failure to perform routine maintenance, such as oil and brake pad replacements, increases the likelihood of a breakdown in trucks and tractor-trailers. You may view odometer and engine data, including trouble codes, in real-time with telematics devices. 

In addition to receiving real-time notifications for essential fault codes, this data may help your technicians create comprehensive preventative maintenance regimens based on miles, days and past breakdown history. Maintaining and repairing your cars regularly can maintain them in peak condition and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns while drivers are on the road. 

Ensure comprehensive pre- and post-trip inspections.

Thorough vehicle checks to guarantee all trucks are secure before drivers begin operating them go hand in hand with boosting driver safety via maintenance. Even though the DOT mandates pre-and post-trip inspections, any old inspection won't cut it. Use solutions that guarantee complete and accurate documentation of inspections to safeguard the security of your drivers.

Avoid traffic

Heavy traffic increases the likelihood of accidents for all drivers. Nevertheless, the nature of the vehicles you usually operate significantly amplifies this danger for CDL truck drivers. Some drivers will still cut you off or go dangerously near you even though your car takes up much more room. Getting larger cars to brake efficiently in a congested route is far more difficult because they gain more momentum. 

Similarly, many motorists either don't realize it or choose to disregard the reality that semi-trucks, particularly those carrying huge loads, require more room to maneuver and are unable to make fast bends. 

Check out delivery spots on foot

It is simple to overlook a couple of the many safety recommendations made by authorities for truck drivers to adhere to. One of the most underappreciated pieces of security advice that truckers receive is to scout out delivery destinations. Get out and explore the area on foot before you try to drive upward to deliver your cargo.  

Ensure that the parking spot is clear of any obstacles, such as broken glass or nails, and that your truck can quickly enter and exit the space. Turning around big trucks requires a lot of room, as you are well aware. You should nevertheless verify that there is sufficient room for your vehicle to turn around and drive away, even if the shippers or recipients may assert their certainty about the parking or loading location.

Keep a reasonable distance.

Being too near to other cars increases the likelihood of an accident because of how fast things happen on the road. The extra weight of pickup trucks makes it crucial to give yourself plenty of space to stop or avoid obstacles when driving. Maintain a minimum of three seconds of clearance behind the car in your path at all times; in inclement weather, increase that distance to nine seconds. 

In the end! 

In the trucking sector, safety advice for truck drivers is of the utmost importance. Truck drivers adhering to these basic safety rules will significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and make driving much safer for everyone.