Truckers have the added responsibility of being careful on the road because due to the size of the truck everyone knows that a trucker leaves a crash in a better condition than drivers. And, living with the guilt of injuring someone or taking their life is a heavy burden that truckers want to avoid.
However, not all crash incidents happen on highways. Crash incidents also happen when you have already reached the destination and trying to manoeuvre for easy unloading of cargo. Not to worry, there are preventive measures to avoid such incidents.
10 Prevention Tips
As mentioned, truckers need to be more careful than regular drivers. Here are 10 crash prevention tips for you to follow:
- Plan in advance
When driving a truck you will sometimes go through places that you have never been. Other times you cannot pass through due to the weight limit or overhead clearance limit. Familiarize the route first before leaving to avoid getting lost or stuck.
Pair a GPS and a map to help you get a picture of where you are going. Note the bridges and places you can pass through. Better yet, ask for advice from other truckers who have gone through the same route.
- Call ahead
Every trucker must call ahead to let the customer know when you are on your way. As you inform them about the delivery schedule ask for particular road hazards like is there enough room for you to manoeuvre or certain roads to avoid.
Incidents mostly happen when trucks exit the highway to enter a warehouse or off-loading and loading bay, doing this can avoid potential mishaps when you arrive.
- Drive within the speed limit
Speed limits are the maximum speed you can drive on a specified road. It’s neither a suggestion nor a minimum to how fast you can go.
Even in bad weather, a trucker must slow down, with no exceptions. Delivering it ahead of schedule is beneficial, but the risks of crashing far outweigh the benefits.
- Don’t fully rely on your spotter
Spotters are a great help. However, as humans, they can still miss certain spots as well. For example, they could be watching the end of a trailer but not the top for the overhead clearance.
Double-checking all the points yourself is necessary. So, if you need to get out of the truck to see everything, you should do so before making manoeuvres.
- Check the loading or unloading area
This tip applies if you don’t have a spotter. While backing a truck in a busy area, you might find other vehicles like forklifts or persons, taking short-cuts that they should not pass through.
If you do not see a clear path to where you need to go, then conduct a pre-check.
Step out of the truck, secure the area and manoeuvre to a spot where you can safely drop off cargo. You can even ask someone to be your spotter.
- Get enough rest
There are rules to how many hours you can drive, the number of breaks you can take, and the hours you need for proper sleep. Following these rules are necessary for a truck driver because drowsy drivers are the last thing you want on the road.
It is never an easy job when you have quotas and deadlines to meet. Albeit it might seem efficient to cut sleep but this is just an accident waiting to happen.
- Never take stimulants
Stimulants are tempting while working long hours. Some truckers use stimulants to shake off fatigue and drowsiness. Although it is a way to stay awake, the risks far outweigh the benefits.
Also, when the stimulants die down, you are much more likely to fall asleep. Keep in mind that accidents will involve other people as well so be responsible.
- Be alert
Stay focused. Avoid doing other tasks while behind the wheel. Follow the rules like any other driver – plan out your playlist beforehand instead of browsing for it while driving.
- Familiarize your truck
Getting to know your truck is an advantage. When hearing certain sounds from your truck, you will have an idea if it’s no cause for concern or if you need to call for truck repair in London.
- Know your cargo
Common sense will tell you that knowing your cargo is important. If you have a truck full of hazardous material, then you tend to drive more carefully than normal. For emphasis, knowing what you’re hauling is a must for every trucker and the crucial information that comes with it is essential.
Prevention helps you to be more alert, on or off the road. Being a trucker can have significant risks, but taking the proper steps and keeping them in mind can help you when facing certain situations.
These 10 prevention tips will surely boost your safety and prevent any crash incidents in your daily delivery schedule. However, if you do experience a crash incident and you or other people were injured, then contact a personal injury lawyer from Brampton for legal assistance.
