The America Truck Driving Academy has published these tips for truck drivers: 10 Ways to Keep You Safe on the Road. Most drivers have heard these tips before, but they are worth repeating over and over and over again. Until all of us are adhering to all 10 of them.
- Wear Your Seatbelt. Studies show that approximately one in every six truck drivers do not wear a safety belt. The use of seatbelts is not only a law, but it’s also the most preventable way to reduce injury. More than 40% of all deaths from crashes occur because of not wearing a seatbelt.
- Do Not Use a Cell Phone. Handheld devices are not only illegal, but they are also careless and dangerous. Talking, texting or just looking at your phone screen is distracting and can lead to serious accidents. Distraction is the number one cause of accidents in America and cell phones are the number one cause of distraction.
- Be Aware of Speed Limits. Prior to cell phones, speeding was the number one cause of truck related accidents. Now it’s number two, but it’s still a formidable opponent to safe driving. Make sure you are always aware of the speed limit for commercial vehicles and stay within that limit. If you do, you’ll significantly increase your chances of having a safe trip.
- Avoid Drugs and Alcohol. Obviously, you must avoid drugs and alcohol as a commercial driver who is subjected to a random drug testing program. But many drivers don’t think about legal medications they use for colds or allergies. Anything that impairs your judgment or causes drowsiness should be avoided.
- Plan Your Trip. There are all sorts of unexpected events that occur on the road, but having a plan makes you more prepared. The better you have your trip planned (driving hours, stops, routes, weather awareness), the safer your trip will be.
- Be Mindful of Your Space Cushion. Whether you’re driving a toter, a box truck, a pickup with an RV, or a pickup with a multi trailer, you are bigger than the average motorist on the road. Be mindful of your height, width and weight. Make sure there is a cushion of space around all sides of your vehicle and load to prevent accidents. Also, the extra weight you are hauling means you need more space and time to stop your truck.
- Slow Down for Turns/Curves. How often have you driven past an off ramp and seen a semi-trailer on its side? When exiting the freeway, slow down as you approach your off ramp in preparation for encountering a large curve, and you won’t be that “trailer on its side.” Always watch for signs alerting you to slow downs for lane reductions and upcoming curves.
- Maintain a Proper Stopping Distance. At 60 MPH, a tractor-trailer decelerates and comes to a stop at a rate of 100 feet per second, approximately. The required distance is nearly 200 hundred yards—two football fields. Maintaining a distance of at least six seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, will provide you with a safe stopping distance if you stay alert to any sudden stopping situations.
- Weather. Most drivers stay attentive to weather conditions. That is always a good idea especially when traveling in the northern states in the wintertime or the hurricane and tornado states, any time of the year. Being informed of changing conditions gives you an opportunity to avoid those conditions.
- Rest and Eat Healthy. A healthy diet and ample rest will keep you more alert on the road. Get plenty of sleep and don’t be afraid to pull over and take a “catnap” if you are feeling tired. Avoid sugary drinks because the pick-me-up comes with a physical downturn eventually. Also avoid heavy meals because they will make you drowsy.
If you haven’t already adopted these tips as part of your normal routine, you should. All 10 tips are easily incorporated into a good driver’s day-to-day operation.
Happy trails,
Brian
