Truckers Protect Yourself on The Road with These Safety Tips

While most runs are smooth going, truck drivers should never forget that trucking is a dangerous profession. When you've got 80,000 pounds barreling down the highway at 60MPH, there's a lot that can potentially go wrong - and often with very little warning.  Smart defensive driving and an emphasis on safety will do a lot to protect you and everyone else on the road.

When you're on the road behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, safety should be one of your top priorities. Your loaded truck can be incredibly dangerous if you ever lose control, and the last thing you want to do is wipe it out early in your career. If you ever need truck repair in Cleveland, Mainline is always here to help - but it's best if you avoid any dangerous incidents!

So, we've put together a set of tips that will help newcomers settle in, and avoid any 'rookie mistakes' early in their careers.

Mainline RV & Truck Service is always here in Ohio, ready to help you keep your truck in tip-top shape. We're also happy to share tips on smart, safe driving.

Important Tips for Staying Safe on The Road

1 - Stay in one lane as much as possible

No matter how many mirrors are on a truck, it's going to have giant blind spots on the sides - which makes it easy for a car or bike to slip into one.  It would be nice if more civilian motorists understood how dangerous truck lane changes can be, but they don't. So, it's a good idea to stay in one lane as much as you can, to avoid the chance of collision.

2 - Always give yourself plenty of braking room

Even if you regularly visit a truck service station and keep your brakes in good working order, braking with a full load takes a while. You should give yourself as much room to stop as possible, which means staying well behind any vehicles in front of you. Rear-ending is one of the most common types of accident a truck can get into, and it's almost always because the driver didn't give themselves room to brake.

3 - Always check the weather before setting out

It's a good idea to pre-plan your routes but, in particular, be sure to always check weather reports along your route. If you're going to be facing inclement weather such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, you should know ahead of time so that they won't surprise you. In the case of ice/snow, you may want to take time to put chains on your wheels beforehand.

Weather can always surprise you, but it's still a good idea to be prepared.  Check out local forecasts for both your starting point and destination. If bad weather is expected, do a little extra planning, in case there are accidents, or you need to divert onto an alternate path.  Forewarned is forearmed when it comes to weather problems.

4 - Get plenty of sleep

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, approximately 100,000 accidents per year are caused by truck drivers who doze off, resulting in tens of thousands of injuries and fatalities. It doesn't matter how important your load is.  If you're too sleepy to drive, get off the road and take a nap.

5- Never neglect your pre-trip inspection

Even if you're under time crunch, don't skimp on your pre-trip inspection. You'll potentially catch so many problems before you're on the road, and save yourself a lot of headaches. In particular:

• Check your tires' pressure, as well as making sure there are no obvious signs of damage such as tears, bulges, or embedded objects.
• Test your lights and make sure the electrical system is sound. Burned-out or malfunctioning lights are also a magnet for cops looking for easy tickets.
• Check your various fluid levels, including oil, transmission, and brake fluids. Never let these get too low!
• Test your brakes before going out. Losing your brakes at highway speeds can be absolutely disastrous.

6 - Don't ignore fatigue

It's incredibly easy for new truck drivers to push themselves too hard, and end up fatigued on the road. Sadly, sleeping drivers are still one of the top causes of truck accidents. If you find yourself falling asleep, DO NOT keep driving without doing something about it. Pull over and take a quick 30-60-minute nap, or at least get out and walk around for a few minutes to get your blood flowing again.

7 - Minimize distractions

Older and more experienced drivers can 'get away' with in-cab distractions such as talking on the phone, or eating and drinking. However, as a newcomer, you want to play it safe. Keep your attention on the road, and don't do anything else that would distract you or involve repeatedly taking your hands off the wheel.

8 - Know your blind spots

Trucks have huge blind spots that aren't covered by the mirrors, especially on the right side where you can't look out the window. Maintain good situational awareness, and try to always notice when a car or other object enters your blind spot. Don't lose track of them!

If you're ever in Ohio and need any kind of truck service, Mainline RV & Truck Service is here to help!

Mainline RV & Truck Service are your Cleveland truck repair experts! Whether you're looking for upgrades or need major repair services, we are Ohio's #1 choice among truck drivers. Contact us to schedule a service visit! Drivers across the state know we're a top service station, so come by whenever you need us.