Accidents happen on the road all the time — some minor and some major. But when a semi-truck comes barreling down the freeway and collides with another vehicle, minor wouldn’t be an appropriate word to describe the impact and injuries that may result.
There are many reasons a truck driver may get in crash. Instead of worrying about what might happen in the worst-case scenario, it’s important to be a cautious driver. Specifically, you can try and put extra planning into each trip you take and make sure that you and your vehicle are ready to handle anything that comes your way on the road.
Fatigue management
You can gain a sense of control and reduce the chance of an accident by making consistent sleep a priority. When you are running on a demanding schedule with long hours and overnight shifts, it may be difficult to maintain a regular sleep schedule. But adjusting your routine by investing in a better mattress, limiting your caffeine or addressing potential sleep apnea can help you be alert from the start of your shift to the end.
Regular maintenance
Brake failure is a major source of truck crashes. Maybe you aren’t involved in your trucking company’s inspection process. But you can be ahead of a mechanical failure by being in-tune with your own vehicle. For instance, if you notice something seems off you can run through some basic inspection, like checking oil or tire pressure levels at your next pit stop. And if your brakes aren’t working properly, your best bet will be pulling over as safely and as immediately as possible. Making your next delivery on-time is a legitimate priority, but if you feel like your safety is at risk, then you shouldn’t proceed.
Route review
Both professional and nonprofessional drivers can become distracted by giving too much attention to their GPS device. So, whether you are travelling a route you always take or going on a highway you’ve never been on, it’s worth reviewing your route before getting behind the wheel. This is because there could be a new detour or even a surge of traffic that can be useful to be aware of before facing it head-on.
When you can’t control external factors, like the conditions of the road or reckless moves of other drivers, you can still protect yourself through choices you make during each trip.
