How To Reduce Risks For Truck Driving Pros

With the ever-increasing expansion of globalization and the demand for products being delivered with speed, trucking has become a valuable profession. Driving long distances with deadlines to meet isn’t going to be a fun road trip but it can be a worthwhile and fulfilling job. However, the risks of being on the road all the time, driving a very large vehicle, are significant. This article aims to give you truck driving pros some tips on simple ways to reduce the risks in your day-to-day journeys.

Make Sure You Are Well Rested

Fatigue and tiredness whilst driving are some of the biggest risks for professional truckers. Working long hours and remaining concentrated is a tall order for even the most diligent of drivers. Tragically, the number of people involved in an 18-wheeler truck accident has increased in recent years. Not taking regular breaks or getting enough sleep is often cited as a cause for these incidents. Most countries have strict regulations for truck drivers on how often they must stop to try and minimize these risks. These rules should not be taken lightly and you should make sure that you are strict with yourself about following them. It might not seem like a big deal, skipping a 15-minute break after driving for two hours, but these guidelines are in place for a reason – to keep you safe! The worst thing you could do would be to try and power through your sleepiness. As soon as you feel yourself getting a little tired, find somewhere to stop and have a nap. This will make your job easier in the long run!

No Need For Speed

HGV’s will have their own fixed speed limit that may be slower than you are used to driving in a normal car. This can be frustrating, especially when you are spending your whole day driving, knowing it would be possible to get there so much faster. Trying to meet a deadline quicker by going as fast as you can is never going to be a good idea. Slow and steady really does win the race when trucking. You may well get there faster by putting your foot down but your primary focus should be getting there in one piece. Take note of the vehicle’s limit and stick a few miles per hour under it. Accept that it will take you 5 hours to get there and getting there quicker is just not an option. Speeding is one of the biggest risks to truck drivers so make sure you keep yours in check.

Staying Alert In The Yard

Once you’ve turned off the motorway into a rest stop you might be tempted to think that it’s time to relax. You must remember just how big the vehicle you are driving is and how careful you must be when parking. Check your turning circle and assess whether you’ll be able to get out the way you came in. It is also worth checking if where you are parking up is safe for you to stay overnight. If it is a route you are unfamiliar with be sure to call ahead to check with the services. The other important thing to make sure you do before you set off is to do a ‘Circle-Check’. This is vital to maintain the safety of your vehicle and well worth the 20 minutes it will take to do a full inspection. Take note of anything that looks beyond natural wear and tear and make sure you get it looked at as soon as possible. I know some days you just want to get moving in the morning but making these checks part of your routine is vital in minimizing the risks of your truck driving profession.

With more trucks on the road these days you need to make sure that you are aware of the risks of your profession. Making sure that you are well-rested, not going over the speed limit, and are making regular inspections of your vehicle are all vital elements in keeping you as safe as possible. Professional truck driving can be a grueling job, traveling incredible distances over relatively short time spans. Looking after yourself in your job is important for your physical and mental health. I hope this article has furnished you with some useful tips on how to prolong the longevity of your trucking career.