Top 15 safety tips for truck drivers

Truck drivers are the backbone of the global economy, yet they often face hazardous conditions while on the road. Although truck driving is rewarding and exciting, it requires the utmost dedication to safety. To ensure truck drivers are as safe as possible, we have compiled the top 15 safety tips that every driver should know. From staying aware of the road and its conditions to completing regular maintenance checks, these tips will help improve the safety of truck drivers everywhere. With these essential safety tips, truck drivers can stay safe and secure while they traverse the highways and byways of the world.

Here are the top 15 safety tips for truck drivers to keep them safe on the road

As a truck driver, you will be driving long hours every day. To ensure that you can drive safely, here are 15 safety tips that you should consider for a safer drive.

• Avoid distractions: Avoid distracting activities such as texting on your phone, watching videos, and talking to passengers while driving. Put your phone on silent mode, turn the radio off, and stay away from your passengers while you are driving.
• Use proper seatbelts: Always fasten your seatbelt when driving. Remember that your passengers should also fasten their seatbelts.
• Take naps: Drivers should aim to take naps between 2 and 4 hours before their shift starts. This will keep you alert and prevent fatigue.
• Avoid driving when you are tired: When you are tired, you are more likely to have an accident.
• Avoid speeding: Speeding is a dangerous habit and may increase the chances of having an accident. You should reduce your speed when driving on wet or slippery roads.
• Remember proper braking: You should apply your brakes in time to avoid an accident.
• Avoid driving at night: Driving at night can be more risky especially when driving on slippery roads. Consider taking breaks more often when driving at night.
• Avoid driving when it is raining: Driving when it rains is very risky. You should avoid driving when it is raining and when it is dark.
• Check your vehicle’s condition: Check your entire vehicle for problems before you start driving.
• Prepare and pack your food: Pack your food and drinks in your vehicle before you hit the road.

Tips for staying alert while driving, including avoiding distractions and staying aware of the surroundings

When you’re driving, you need to focus exclusively on driving, whether you’re sitting behind the wheel or riding as a passenger. If you’re tired, stressed, or distracted, though, you could find yourself losing concentration and making a dangerous mistake.

Unfortunately, many other drivers on the road make the same mistakes, and because driving is such an important aspect of our daily lives, we all tend to drive distracted or drowsy every so often.

Fortunately, though, with a few precautions, you can stay alert and focused on driving at all times. Here are some tips for keeping yourself alert and engaged:

• Don’t drive when you’re tired. It’s tempting to think that driving long distances or for long hours with frequent breaks gives you time to rest, but in reality, it puts you at a higher risk of falling asleep at the wheel. So, on a long trip, plan to take frequent breaks to allow your brain time to wind down.
• Don’t drive when you’re stressed. If you’re feeling stressed or tense, avoid driving. You can use your commute time to work out your issues or distract yourself in other ways.
• Don’t drive when you’re distracted. Whether it’s checking your phone or snacking, keep distractions to a minimum. When you’re behind the wheel, you need all of your attention focused on the road.

How to stay safe while loading and unloading trucks

In this industry, loading and unloading trucks is a dangerous everyday task. 

In handling a loaded truck, human factors can get in the way. For example, truck drivers often get distracted while lifting heavy objects, and might forget that they are still in contact with electricity or compressed gas. 

Here are some tips on how to stay safe while loading and unloading trucks: 

• Don’t carry objects above shoulder height: Don’t carry objects above shoulder height, or put your hand or arm between two moving objects. 
• Use proper lifting techniques: When lifting a heavy object, always lift with your legs and not your back. Bend your knees and lift with your legs. Good lifting techniques are important when working around heavy equipment, including trucks. 
• Stay away from the trucks: Pay extra attention when working near trucks. Make sure that no part of your body, including your back and legs, is near the trucks. 
• Use proper equipment: Use proper equipment when working around trucks. For example, wear gloves to avoid cuts if handling sharp objects. Also, wear proper footwear to avoid slips and falls.

How to avoid truck accidents

Truck accidents can be devastating and deadly. In 2016, there were 4,067 people killed and 116,000 injured in truck accidents, according to Census.gov. 

It’s estimated that around 100,000 large trucks are in operation in the U.S. at any one time. Between 2012 and 2016, there were approximately 3.5 million registered trucks in the U.S., and trucking accidents make up around 10% of all motor vehicle accidents. 

The good news is that, with some preparation and knowledge, you can avoid truck accidents altogether. Here are some things you should look out for: 

• Truck blind spots: The majority of truck accidents happen when a truck is turning or making a left-hand turn. A truck driver has limited visibility on each side of the truck and cannot see cars coming the other way. This limited visibility means that drivers may fail to see smaller vehicles or pedestrians. 
• Fatigued drivers: Driving for a long period, especially at night, is dangerous. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drowsy driving causes 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths annually. Those who drive for a living are particularly at risk of drowsy driving, and truck drivers who routinely drive for 11 to 14 hours at a time are 11% more likely to cause a crash. 
• Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road. In 2016, 3,450 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in auto accidents caused by distracted drivers. 
• Drunk-driving: Drunk driving is a serious safety hazard and increases the risk of fatal accidents. In 2016, 10,265 people were killed in auto accidents caused by drunk drivers. 
• Defective tires: Poorly maintained tires are one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. One of the most common causes of tire failure is tread separation, which means that the top layers of the tire have torn away from the bottom layers. This causes the tire to lose traction and increases the risk of an accident.

How to prepare for a truck driving job

If you’re thinking about becoming a truck driver, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before you apply: 

You will need to obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL). This license allows you to drive commercially, either as a driver of a bus or a truck. You will need to pass a physical exam and have your eyesight and hearing tested – as well as pass a written examination if you have any driving-related felony convictions. 

You will also need to obtain a trucker’s medical card. Without this medical card, you won’t be allowed to drive a truck. You will need to pass a physical, as well as a blood test. 

You will also need to obtain your medical card before you can enter any truck driving school. This medical card is given to you by a doctor that examines your health and finds you fit for driving a truck.

How to stay safe while driving in bad weather

Unfortunately, driving in the rain, snow, and sleet is a common occurrence during the cold winter months. But there are a few simple precautions that you can take to stay safe while driving in bad weather. 

• Driving slower: It’s more difficult to stop your car when the weather outside is rough. When you’re driving in the rain, snow, or sleet, reduce your speed to a safe level that not only gives you enough time to stop but also enables you to react to slower-moving vehicles on the road. 
• Slow down even more in snow and ice: Snow and ice make even the safest drivers more vigilant while driving, so don’t speed through slippery conditions. When roads are wet and icy, increase your following distance so that you can stop on time if a hazard arises. 
• Aggressive driving: Aggressive driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Giving up control of your car and following too closely behind other drivers is dangerous anytime, but it’s especially bad in bad weather. Always exercise patience behind the wheel, especially when rain is falling and visibility is low.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this list of the top 15 truck driving safety tips. We hope you found it helpful and informative. Please let us know if you have any additional suggestions for other safety tips you think should be on this list. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it with your friends and on social media. We’d appreciate it!