There’s a lot more to being a safe truck driver than just passing your driver’s license exam. Once you’re out on the road, there are many things that you need to know about and practice to make safety part of your normal routine.
Here are some tips if you’re looking to join a trucking company or start working in trucking services that can help you be the safest driver you can be.
Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself may not seem as related to truck driving as other tips, but it’s possibly the most important aspect of truck driving safety. You’re the one driving the vehicle, and if you’re not in good shape mentally and physically, your driving will suffer.
Make sure you get enough sleep, you eat healthy and you get enough water throughout the day to keep yourself in good physical shape. It might be a good idea to schedule at least a few extra minutes in your workday to make time for yourself to get ready for or unwind from a long day on the road.
Know your blind spots
Always make sure to be aware of your blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Of course, there’s no way to know what’s there if you can’t see, so a good general rule is to take 10 when changing lanes, i.e., signal for three seconds before the lane change, and take seven seconds to slowly complete the lane change.
Keep your distance
Trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, so it’s important to keep a long distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. A general rule is that it’s good to keep seven or eight seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you (increase that to 14 seconds in slippery conditions). This means that the faster your speed, the longer the distance should be.
Slow down for curves
It’s a good idea to put into practice slowing down for curves no matter how heavy your load may be. This is especially important for off-ramps and on-ramps, where there’s often a combination of a quick change in speed as well as sharp turns. You may want to even consider slowing down below the speed limit for some curves, just to be extra safe.
Don’t forget about your trailer
One of the reasons you need to be extra cautious on the road as a trucker is that you’re hauling a heavy and large trailer. It’s easy to forget about checking it during long stretches on the road with no turns or lane changes. Don’t let that happen! Be aware of your trailer at all times, and make sure to check it in your mirrors even during uneventful parts of the drive.
Trucking services are all about getting things from point A to point B safely, and that’s largely up to the driver in charge of the truck. When you’re looking to hire a safe, reliable trucking company, contact Energy Trucking today.