If you are a truck driver, you are responsible for your over-the-road safety. Because you are in such a large vehicle, you must be even more careful than smaller cars around you. While accidents aren't entirely inevitable, there are ways you can improve your road safety as a trucker.
With the following 3 top tips, you can stay danger-free on your trucking drives.
1. Don't Drive Tired
One of the best ways you can keep yourself and other drivers safe is by never driving tired. While you may have strict deadlines to meet, driving while drowsy is never worth the risk. If you feel like you are falling asleep, pull over at a rest stop or overnight motel and catch a few hours of sleep. Rather than putting yourself and other people at risk, take a few hours away from your truck to get some rest. While it may seem counterintuitive, don't load up on caffeine.
While it may help you stay awake for a few hours, the eventual crash will leave you more exhausted than before. Rather than pumping your body full of coffee and energy drinks, eat balanced meals throughout the day and do your best to stretch your legs periodically. Staying alert will help you avoid the danger that comes from negligent driving in your truck.
However if the unthinkable happens and you get in a wreck, contacting a tractor trailer injury attorney can help you get through it. By never driving while tired, you can avoid serious danger while on the road.
2. Avoid Distractions
Another way you can stay safe as a trucker is to avoid distractions. While being an over-the-road truck driver may not be the most interesting profession, having distractions in the cab while you're driving can get people killed. Rather than having diversions like your phone going off while you're driving, put on some music or a podcast on your stereo to keep you occupied.
Along similar lines, never text and drive. While it shouldn't need to be said, using the phone while driving is a severe problem in the United States. When drivers of small cars use their phones on the road, they put themselves and the people around them in danger.
When truck drivers use their phones while driving, they elevate that danger exponentially due to the size and weight of their vehicles. Rather than risking injury to yourself and others, put your phone and other distractions away while you are driving dangerous trucks.
3. Don't Overbook Yourself
Finally, don't overbook yourself. When you drive stressed out because of deadlines, you are more likely to make costly mistakes that endanger the lives of people around you. While it is tempting to continue adding stops to your route for extra profit, make sure you don't book yourself to the point of stress.
If you feel like you are starting to overbook yourself, don't be afraid to make stops along your route to give your mind a break from driving. Driving stress-free will help you keep your mind clear and your actions safe to avoid trucking accident injuries.
Keep On Trucking Safely
Overall, truck drivers are some of the most essential workers in the country. While their services are necessary, it is also vital to drive trucks safely when there are other cars on the road. Keep on trucking!
