June is National Safety Month, and safety is of the utmost importance when on the road. Especially for truck drivers and trucking companies, safety should always be a high priority.
A month like June is a great time to re-evaluate all the safety habits and measures that can help protect us all on the highways and roads we drive each day.
To ensure all truckers achieve maximum safety at all times, all trucking companies should adopt several safety measures. Some are obvious, but always bare repeating, while a few others are great habits to adopt because they’ve been shown to help keep you safe on the road.
- Buckle your seatbelt.
- Be alert. Focus on the driving conditions ahead.
- Be sure to signal early and often. This lets motorists know right away which way you’re headed and gives them time to slow down or adjust.
- Slow down long before a complete stop. If motorists see the brake lights early, it will help avoid a collision.
- Check your mirrors every 7 or 8 seconds, and keep lane changing to a minimum.
- Do a routine check of your truck to check headlights, brake lights, and turn signal lights. These always need to be in working order to avoid accidents.
- Always use your flashers when you are driving slower than the speed limit because of a heavy load or bad weather.
- Use specific parking set for trucks. Big rigs need four-times more space than an average passenger car.
- Keep reasonable space between your truck and the vehicle in front of you in case of an emergency stop in bad weather conditions.
- Do not feel obligated to go as fast as the speed limit in bad conditions. Slower speeds are sometimes necessary to avoid rollovers or collisions.
- Keep your gas tank full during the cold winter months because water condensation can build up in the gas line.
- Take extra precautions on bridges because bridges freeze before roads do.
- Do not tailgate.
- Take breaks as needed. In order to stay fresh and alert on long hauls, get out of the truck and move around.
- Wear comfortable clothing because sitting for long periods of time can cut off circulation and cause serious future health problems.
- When you are tired, acknowledge it. Trucking regulations forbid more than 11 hours of continuous driving without a 10-hour off-duty break; however, this may not always be enough time to rest. Continuing to drive while exhausted is not only dangerous for you, but also for everyone driving around you.
Yes, accidents happen but these safety tips can help prevent them from happening. Following these tips and being smart about your driving can help you maintain top safety while on the road.
If you didn’t know, Roeder Cartage Co. Inc. is proud of its dedication to the safety of its truck driving crew. We have gained tremendous recognition for our efforts and always adhere to strict safety standards and training. For more, check out our safety and training page today.