Road safety is a major problem in today’s transportation business. The 2018 Driver Safety Risk Report estimates that trucking incidents cost fleets approximately $57 billion in medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and missed productivity. According to the same research, yearly insurance premiums may rise by a third when an employee is involved in an incident involving both driver and vehicle. Even a little accident may boost insurance costs by roughly a quarter. To decrease the danger of road accidents, less than half of all carriers employ commercial truck driver safety training.

We’ve compiled a list of truck driver safety guidelines to help fleets enhance driver safety. These trucker safety guidelines can assist enhance fleet safety and decrease road accidents.

Avoid Distraction

Distracted driving is a significant cause of car accidents. Distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018, and over 23,000 deaths between 2012-2018, according to the NHTSA. Distracted driving was involved in 9% of fatal collisions in the last seven years. According to the NHTSA, 90% of rear-end accidents are caused by delayed driver reaction. Drivers might be distracted by grabbing a quick snack, smoking, talking on the phone, or texting. Truck drivers must be particularly cautious since their trucks are bigger, tougher to manage, and have more blind spots or “No zones.”

Recognize Your Flaws

Driving a big commercial vehicle with more blind spots than a normal passenger car requires excellent visibility. This info-graphic shows how a commercial driver’s sight is limited on all four sides due to huge blind zones surrounding the vehicle’s front, rear, and sides. It’s critical to know your truck’s and other drivers’ possible blind zones. Keeping lane changes to a minimum and monitoring side view mirrors every 10 seconds also helps to enhance safety and alertness.

Improve Driving Safety with a Dashcam

Trucking Software

Technology has become more important in the transportation business. Dashcams, ELDs, Trucking software, and GPS tracking all help improve driver safety. Dashboard cameras (or dashcams) enhance driver safety, decrease CSA ratings, and protect against fraudulent insurance claims. Dashcams are used by fleets of all sizes to safeguard drivers from bogus claims, speed up insurance procedures, and enhance driver behavior and overall fleet safety. Truck dashcams may detect lane changes without warning and slamming on the brakes.

Dash cams can be single or dual-facing and placed on the windshield or dashboard. The most essential thing is that they can illustrate what happened. After installing a dashcam, a driver was engaged in an accident and found at fault. His crew was able to remotely download the incident’s film and exonerate the motorist.

Understand Your Safe Braking Distance

It may take some time for drivers used to smaller vehicles to adjust to the significantly longer braking distance of a large commercial truck.

Obey the Service Hours Rules

In order to improve road safety, the Hours of Service laws were developed. Driver tiredness contributes to road accidents. Not adhering to your HOS limit is hazardous and against the regulations. Maintain compliance by adhering to all applicable Hours of Service requirements. HOS compliance may improve fleet and driver safety.

Avoid Aggressive Tailgaters

Defensive driving is based on avoiding aggressive or irresponsible drivers. Tailgaters deny themselves the space needed to slow down in case of an emergency stop. Changing lanes instead of accelerating is the greatest approach to avoid potential accidents. This permits the tailgaters to pass you.

Obey Traffic Signs

Road signs are there for a reason, and you must obey all traffic laws and signs in the region where you are driving. Truck drivers occasionally go beyond the posted speed limit, especially if they are late or have been held up by a shipper or receiver. If they are speeding, they may lose control of their car when negotiating steep bends, uneven surfaces, construction zones, and other road imperfections. Truck drivers may benefit from paying strict attention to traffic signs.

Do Not Accelerate Or Brake Suddenly

Hard braking, acceleration, and turning are more often than you believe. A driver’s safety depends on avoiding excessive braking and acceleration. Fleets can minimize the incidence of these occurrences by implementing driver training programs. These driver training programs help improve driving behaviours and decrease harsh turning, braking, and acceleration. Using the standard CDL safety recommendations also helps drivers learn the principles of commercial vehicle operation. Fleets can improve driving safety by monitoring drivers for important safety incidents. This is where Electronic Logging Devices come in. They are rated by their safety scores, which are determined by the above important safety incidents. Using this number, safety managers may readily identify drivers who need immediate coaching.

Seasonal and Weather-Related Truck Driver Safety Advice

Truck drivers work in a variety of terrains and weather situations. These broad safety recommendations should apply to most drivers in most situations. The use of the Trucking Dispatch software is most useful there.

Driving in the Rain

It’s almost certain that rain will fall at some point throughout your driving career, perhaps unexpectedly. Driving in the rain is risky enough, but driving a huge commercial vehicle is worse yet.

During wet weather, remember the following safety tips:

  •         Always buckle up.
  •         Be safe.
  •         Keep the radio on low.
  •         Gradually alter pace.
  •         Avoid driving into puddles.
  •         Slow down.
  •         No cruise control or engine braking.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Winter driving is both beautiful and perilous. Follow some fundamental winter driving rules.

Buckle up. Plan ahead of time what you will do if the weather worsens. Keep an eye on your dashboard. Thermal shock might damage your emissions control system and other temperature-sensitive components.

Consider circumstances that may impair visibility. In reduced visibility, keep your headlights on. Make sure you have enough space between you and other drivers. Ride away from snow ploughs. Allow at least 200 feet between you and other snow service trucks.

Sudden braking is risky on slippery roads. Avoid using cruise control and making sudden lane changes. Slow down while approaching bends and junctions to avoid losing control. Ice commonly forms on bridges and overpasses.

Idle your truck in the cold when the vehicle is not moving, the DEF tank freezes at around 10°F. Before driving, clear your roof of all ice and snow. This will keep the windshield and mirrors clean. Entering and exiting vehicle cabs requires firm footing. Wear suitable footwear and be careful of ice and snow.

If you must stop, do so safely. If you can’t pull over, make your vehicle noticeable with emergency triangles, cones, flashers, and a reflective vest. During the winter, keep a half tank of gas. This, together with properly mixed gasoline, keeps fuel lines from freezing. Remember to turn into a skid. Quickly depress the clutch, glance in your left mirror, and steer and counter-steer back in front of the trailer. Prepare an emergency supply of water, non-perishable food, clothing, and blankets.