How To Make Truck Drivers' Jobs Easier And Safer
No matter how thrilling it can be, driving can at times be very challenging, especially when you’re dealing with a variety of different (unsafe) road conditions, or reckless behavior by other drivers.
If it's raining or snowing outside, a lot of us have the option to just postpone any task that we're supposed to do or just opt for another form of transportation (such as a taxi, bus, etc.) if we don't feel it's safe to drive.
But that’s not something that truck drivers can do. They are obligated to drive whenever that’s requested by the company they work for, which is why they frequently deal with potential dangers. If you want to ensure you are staying safe while on the road, then take a look at these tips below.
Tips For Truck Drivers To Stay Safe While Driving
Opt For A Tracking System With Cameras
There are many reasons why truck drivers should consider purchasing tracking systems that come with cameras. What’s the main purpose of these devices? Namely, they can record the vehicle’s location, along with the specific details about your truck, such as overall driving ability and speed.
There's no denying that there are a plethora of benefits to utilizing these cameras. The ease of GPS tracking with cameras is taken to the next level and more importantly, these devices were designed to promote safety on the road and remind truck drivers to be even more responsible while on the road. How come?
Well, that's because they are going to make them more self-aware knowing that someone out there is recording everything they do while they are driving, which will force them to behave less riskily.
Maintenance Schedules
Keeping a regular preventative maintenance schedule is crucial for operating a truck safely. Why is this so important? According to the FMCSA, problems related to maintenance are one of the leading causes of tractor-trailer crashes.
Now, if by any chance you do not have a schedule, then be sure to develop one as soon as possible. If you drive for a fleet, the shop of your company will most likely provide you with a maintenance schedule that you’ll be obligated to follow.
More Useful Tips Coming Your Way
Embrace Defensive Driving
How can defense driving be defined? It is a sort of driving that encourage these drivers to always be on the lookout for any potential changes in driving or dangers on the road. You need to constantly remind them how important it is to decrease the risks of collisions and injuries by anticipating situations that could potentially be very hazardous and making safe decisions while being on the road.
By employing defensive driving strategies, truck drivers will decrease their chances of being involved in any vehicle incident. So what are the best driving strategies and practices your drivers could use?
- They should watch out for blind spots
- Be always prepared for potential emergencies
- Practice the three-second rule
- Always signal
- Whenever they have any doubts, they should slow down
- Ensure to always be cool and collected
Properly Examine Your Route Upfront
Before you load up your vehicle and hit the road, it's of huge importance to get yourself familiar with the route you will be traveling. In most cases, there are typically several ways to reach a specific location.
That’s why it would be advisable to take some time and properly assess various options and determine which one is most suitable for you in terms of logistics. By doing something like this, you will not only reach your destination much faster, but you will also feel a lot more confident behind the wheel because you’ll know exactly where you’re headed.
Pre And Post Trip Inspections
Pre & post-trip inspections are generally always recommendable because they are able to spot any defects when it comes to your equipment before they negatively impact your safety. Furthermore, these inspections are so essential that federal regulations consider them to be mandatory and something that's supposed to be done at least once a day and then record everything in your hours of service log. During this process, you need to focus on:
The braking system normally involves an air compressor, brake pads, air brake lines, brake lights, and a low air pressure alarm.
The steering system includes rack and pinion elements, the amount of play in the steering column, and the steering tires.
Being a truck driver is far from easy, however, as you can see, there are various things that can be done to make this job less stressful and a lot safer. So go ahead and go through this article to see what you’re supposed to do to change things for the better.