Important Safety Tips For Truck Drivers To Avoid Accidents

Just talk to any truck crash lawyer and you will learn that there are thousands of truck accidents that are caused by the truck driver. This is why it is so important for the truck drivers to be fully in control of everything that happens while on the job. Truck accidents can be disastrous for everyone involved. So, if you are a truck driver, you need to do all you can to reduce the possibility of making mistakes that would lead to collisions. Here are some important tips to help you do exactly that.

Get The Rest You Need

Planning your work day in a proper way is one of the most important parts of the job. You need to plan all days while thinking about hours of service. This is needed in order to make sure you are always alert when driving.

An important thing to mention is that even if you are respecting the schedule, if you feel you are drowsy, you need to take over. Never drive while you are sleepy as you are risking your life and that of others.

Always Slow Down When Needed

There are several moments when you have to slow down even if the law does not force you to. For instance, when you approach any work zone, you absolutely need to slow down. Lanes will often be moved and then redirected if construction happens. In work zones, you have to adjust speed and follow all provided signage.

Always Think About Blind Spots

When you drive a truck, it is very easy to miss small cars in blind spots. As a result, you need to always signal if you have the intention of changing a lane. And you have to turn in advance. Cars need to get enough space and time to remove themselves from blind spots.

A great trick to take into account is that you can always buy extra side mirrors. They do improve visibility. If possible, you can even invest in a dash cam system. This is what offers the most protection when it comes to dealing with blind spots.

Always Maintain Safe Distances From Other Vehicles

Stopping a truck is much slower than stopping average passenger vehicles. This is why you need to always allow yourself more space. The big problem is car drivers do not fully understand the fact that truck drivers cannot stop like they do. As a result, defensive driving is much more important as a skill for the truck driver. The same goes for never being affected by road rage. You have to keep things cool at all times. It is better to stop if you feel rage.

Always Inspect Your Truck Before Driving

This is particularly important when talking about brakes since they are one of the most important parts of the truck. But, basically every part is important. Even if it takes some extra time, make sure to inspect your truck before every single trip. Catching mechanical problems before they become serious can do wonders for avoiding accidents.