Truck driving is an essential but exhausting job. Driving for long hours can lead to safety problems if you can’t stay alert. With the right preparation and habits, you can help keep yourself and other drivers safer on the road. Check out these safety tips for truck drivers and enjoy safer drives on the job.
How Dangerous Is Truck Driving?
Truck driving is a challenging occupation. In 2022, U.S. transportation and material moving work had the most overall fatalities and the second-highest fatality rate. With so many large trucks on the road moving heavy cargo, trucks increase collision severity, leading to more fatalities and health problems.
Additionally, truck drivers face longer-term health issues or threats from long hours, unpredictable roads and fatigue. Thanks to irregular hours and prolonged sitting periods, truckers are more likely to develop health conditions like obesity and stress-related issues.
With all the potential health risks and driving dangers involved with trucking, it’s essential for truckers to protect themselves. With the right safety measures, you can maximize your safety and improve road conditions for everyone.
Top Truck Driving Safety Tips
If you want to improve your safety on the road, you’ll need to be careful. Taking the time to learn and practice some essential truck driver safety tips will help you be a more proactive driver. With proper safety measures, you can help protect yourself and other drivers when you’re on the road. Use cautious driving tips and focus on your health to maintain your lifestyle and keep yourself safer when you’re on a long trip.
1. Take Regular Breaks
Taking regular breaks is key for truck driver safety. Driving for long periods can be physically and mentally exhausting — with regular breaks, you’ll prevent accidents and help improve your driving quality. Transport Canada requires drivers to take breaks after driving for a certain period. With strategic breaks, you can reduce fatigue and stay alert on the road.
2. Get Some Sleep
Sleep is a foundational part of a truck driver’s health and performance. Long-haul journeys mean lots of quick decision-making and paying attention to your surroundings. Improper sleep can slow your reaction time and cause you to drift in and out of focus, making your driving less safe. Try to prioritize rest before long trips to stay regulation-compliant and safe while you’re on the road.
3. Live Healthy
Truck driving can make maintaining a healthy lifestyle difficult. If you’re working as a truck driver, you should focus on creating healthy habits to reduce long-term health issues caused by poor diet and extensive sitting. The sedentary nature of the job, combined with irregular schedules, can have a negative effect on your physical health.
Try to prioritize a balanced diet with lots of water and nutritious meals. Regularly exercising, even just inside your truck, helps improve your circulation and fights the effects of extended sitting. Living a healthier lifestyle will help you feel better, handle the job more effectively and keep health problems at bay.
4. Complete Pre-Trip Inspections
Performing thorough pre-trip inspections is your first line of defense against mechanical failures and malfunctions. Neglecting regular checks can let issues go unseen until severe safety problems begin to pop up.
Drivers should start every trip with checks for signs of damage, wear or irregularities before they hit the road. Checks include looking at the brakes, lights, tires and other critical components to spot potential issues before it’s too late. Regular inspections help ensure your safety and the safety of everyone else on the road.
5. Watch the Weather
When you’re driving, you need to know what to expect from the weather. Weather-related challenges like rain, snow or strong winds can significantly impact road safety. All truck drivers should stay current on weather forecasts and be prepared to adjust their driving accordingly. Slower speeds, increased following distances and heightened caution can help prevent accidents in poor weather. You can use weather apps and radio updates to help you make informed decisions and navigate the weather more safely.
6. Drive Defensively
Defensive driving is another cornerstone of safe truck operation. You’ll need to use safe driving speeds, proactive driving adjustments and potential hazard awareness to help reduce road risks. Try to maintain a safe following distance, stay aware of surrounding vehicles and anticipate potential road obstacles at all times. Defensive driving is an active mindset that prioritizes safety, making you better prepared to respond to sudden changes in traffic or unexpected events and reducing accidents.
7. Avoid Distractions
Minimizing distractions will help you become a safer driver. Things like phone use, eating or multitasking take your attention away from the road, increase your risk of accidents. Use hands-free communication tools to help you focus while you’re driving. Additionally, enforcing discipline around avoiding distractions helps you stay focused during long routes and improves your reaction time to sudden events. The more focused you are, the better you’ll be able to drive.
8. Be Prepared
Finally, stay safe on the road with proper emergency preparedness. Keep essential supplies like tools, first-aid kits and emergency contact information in your truck. Monitor your radio for real-time traffic updates, construction and road closures to help you prepare for challenges on the drive. With current information and emergency kits, you’re prepared for any surprises that pop up along your route.
Truck Driver Safety Checklist
Staying safe on the road means developing a checklist to help you proactively reduce risk. With a truck driver safety checklist, you can get into the right safety habits and improve conditions on the road for everyone. Use this checklist to help you practice proper road safety:
- Complete pre-trip inspections: Check your brakes, tires, lights and fluid levels before starting every trip.
- Schedule regular maintenance: Get on a maintenance schedule to ensure your trick is in top condition.
- Properly secure loads: Confirm that your cargo is properly balanced, loaded and secured to prevent dangerous shifting during the drive.
- Monitor the weather: Remember to stay updated on weather conditions and adjust your speed and driving to make it through rough weather safely.
- Sit comfortably: Get your seat in a comfortable position so you can focus fully on the road. Make sure you can reach all the controls and put your headrest in the correct position to protect you during an accident.
- Take breaks: Take regular driving breaks to avoid fatigue and stay compliant with regulations.
- Follow driving laws: Use your turn signals, check mirrors often, follow speed limits and stick to the driving laws. The more predictable your driving, the safer you and others will be on the road.
Drive Safer with Inland Truck & Equipment
Inland is a trusted Kenworth truck dealer with over 75 years of experience in the industry. Whether you’re looking for your next semi-truck or you need parts and services, we’ve got you covered. Our team will deliver industry-leading services and products every time, helping you get the components you need when you need them.
If you’re looking to purchase a new or used truck or you’re interested in our tailored leasing options, explore our stock online or find a dealership near you today!