by No truck driver ever goes into a work day thinking it’ll result in a truck accident. But the reality is that truck driving is a high-risk job that can result in truck accidents if you don’t prepare or drive with safety as a top priority.
Another harsh reality is that a truck accident is often far more serious than a car accident due to the sheer size of a truck, the cargo it’s carrying, and the high speeds they travel on open highways.
If you’re a truck driver by trade, here’s how to drive defensively and avoid severe or even life-threatening accidents.
- Stick to a Reasonable Speed
Now, it’s not always possible to stick to the exact speed limit at all times. You might need to speed up or slow down in some instances.
But for the most part, it’s absolutely crucial to adhere to the legal speed limit in order to avoid a trucking accident. The speed limit is a limit for a reason. It’s not a minimum or a suggestion. The limit is there to ensure all drivers on the road travel safely, but especially drivers of large vehicles.
It’s even more important to adhere to a reasonable speed in poor weather conditions. The roads become slippery and precarious, making it even harder for a large vehicle to slow down while traveling at speed.
- Plan and Understand the Route Ahead
Most of the time, you’re driving a truck to deliver goods to a pre-determined destination. Many truck drivers might drive the same route on a regular basis. But if you find yourself delivering to a new, unfamiliar destination, it’s important to do some research on the route ahead.
Truck driving comes with a certain set of limitations due to the size of the vehicle. For example, there might be roads, entrances, exits, and clearances you can’t use.
Before you set off on your new route, make sure you’re aware of all these roadblocks and make provisions along your drive. It’s important to understand your bridge and trestle clearances so that you can accurately plan your route.
- Have a Clear Understanding of All Road Conditions
Not all truck accident lawyer occur on major highways. Some accidents might happen on highway exits, or even just outside a warehouse you’re delivering to.
This can happen when you’re unfamiliar with the local roads and struggle to navigate these smaller, tighter areas. Your best plan of action to avoid these situations is to call your client ahead of delivery.
Ask them about any particular road conditions or areas that you should be aware of before you make your delivery. This way, you can get a rough idea of all types of road conditions you’re driving on, and prepare for them where necessary.
- Pre-Check the Delivery Area
The same goes for understanding the layout and size of the delivery area at your final destination. It’s no secret that maneuvering a large vehicle down small, tight roads or alleys is difficult at the best of times.
Don’t feel tempted to take shortcuts or just wing it without pre-checking the delivery area or small spaces you need to fit into. This is a surefire way to cause an accident, hit a car, or worse, a pedestrian.
If you can’t see or judge things clearly, get out of your vehicle and do a good once over of the delivery area in order to make good judgment calls.
- Don’t Fully Rely on Your Spotter
Not all truck drivers drive alone. In some cases, you’re assigned a spotter to drive with you and keep an eye on areas of your rig — especially if it’s the oversized kind.
If you’re driving a new, unfamiliar route this a good time to rely on your spotter as an extra pair of eyes. But keep in mind, you shouldn’t rely on them entirely. This is another fast-track way to miss things and cause an accident.
Your spotter is just one person who generally keeps an eye on one section of your truck. You still need to stay alert, keep your eyes peeled, and use your spotter as and when you need them.
- Adhere to Driving Hours and Prioritize Rest
There’s nothing more important than driving a big rig with a clear head and 100 percent awareness at all times. Any truck accident lawyer will tell this is a huge liability otherwise. It’s imperative to stick to your designated driving hours and get some decent rest when you need to.
There are strict regulations around how many hours you spend behind the wheel and the number of breaks you should take. These regulations are in place for a reason. Don’t take advantage of a situation, cut corners, or think that you can ”push yourself” just to reach your destination quicker. It’s irresponsible and the results could be fatal.
- Familiarize Yourself With Your Vehicle and Cargo
Whether you’re used to driving the same type of vehicle, or you’re assigned something new, it’s essential that you’re familiar with the type of rig you’re driving. It goes without saying that you need a valid commercial driver’s license before you hop into a big rig. But aside from this, it’s essential to know how it operates, drives, handles high speeds, and tight corners and spaces.
It’s also a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of simple fixes that your truck might need in case it breaks down. Always do a thorough check of your vehicle before hitting the open road. This means checking the brakes, cargo restraints, steering, basic engine maintenance, tire pressure, and understanding your clearance heights.
Not only this, but you also need to have a clear idea of what you’re hauling, how it travels, its weight, and the type of restraints that work best.
Avoid Truck Accidents With the Right Knowledge
The fact of the matter is that truck accidents do happen, but many of them are actually unavoidable. With the right preparation, knowledge of how to handle a large vehicle, and defensive driving strategies you can stay safe on the open road.
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