Long-haul trucking is one of the most crucial jobs in the United States. They are the ones who ensure the timely delivery of important goods. Unfortunately, truck driving is a risky career so you have to make sure you stay safe.
Learning to drive a truck doesn’t stop once you have mastered making a left-hand turn or navigating a snowstorm, it is a lifetime skill that needs to be refined at every opportunity.
The open road, though beautiful and freeing, is also dangerous. Truck driving is not for the faint of heart. Big Truck Hoods, your source for semi truck bumpers, offers a few safety tips to help keep you safe on the road.
Adjust For Bad Weather
Bad weather conditions account for about 25% of all truck-related driving accidents. Even if you are driving on wet roads. You should be cutting your speed by ⅓. In snowy conditions, you should be cutting your speed in half.
You also need to allow more time for maneuvers in poor weather. This means signaling sooner when changing lanes or turning.
Slow on the Curves
As you know, you should always be adhering to the speed limits. However, there are circumstances in which you need to be going slower than the posted speed limit.
When taking a curve, you should be slowing down considerably. The posted speed limits on curves are for cars, which can handle them quite easily. A big truck like the one you drive, not so much. When you are going through any curve, keep in mind that you can tip your rig if you are going too fast.
Maintain Your Truck
Before you head out on the road, take the time to inspect your truck to ensure all is well. It is important to determine if all of your lights are working, it is critical to make sure your brakes are in good working order.
Work Zones
About ⅓ of all fatal work-zone accidents involve large trucks. It might be frustrating having to slow down in a construction zone, but you need to anyway.
Pay Attention
When you exit the highway to hit a truck stop, make sure you know how to get back on the road. There are all types of exits and many ways to exit and enter the highway, but you must know where you are going.
Never Drive Drowsy
You cannot be alert if you are drowsy. Being sleepy impairs your reaction time and makes it more difficult for you to make quick decisions and act upon them.
If you start to feel drowsy, pull over and get some sleep.
Check Your Truck Frequently
We stated earlier that you need to inspect your truck before heading out on the road. That is good advice, but it shouldn't end there. Even while you are on the road, you should be inspecting your truck when you have the chance.
When you stop for breaks or fuel, take a walk around your rig and ensure everything is in good working order and nothing looks out of place or dangerous.
It is also dangerous to drive with broken body parts on your truck. Scrap that dented or otherwise damaged hood for another one at Big Truck Hoods.