15 Ways to Keep You Safe On the Road - Strong Tie Insurance Services

15 Ways to Keep You Safe On the Road

Strong Tie Insurance August 9, 2021 Our Blog

Truck driving is one of the most vital jobs for the economy on the road. It ensures that critical supplies are delivered on time across the country. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the riskiest careers out there, which is where commercial truck insurance can be helpful for large fleets to have.

The commercial trucking industry is difficult to work in, and driver safety is constantly a concern. Even if there are no injuries, a car accident can significantly increase commercial truck insurance costs. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 15 driver safety tips to help keep your truckers safe while on the road.

Continue reading below to learn more and discover how Strong Tie Insurance can help keep your commercial trucking company protected with cheap commercial insurance.

15 Safety Tips to Keep Truck Drivers Safe on the Road

Despite the fact that every truck driver is aware of the fundamentals of truck driver safety, a refresher can be beneficial in helping truck drivers avoid unforeseen incidents.

Take a look at these ten safety tips to help your truck drivers be safer today.

Keep an Eye Out for Blind Spots

One of the most critical defensive driving methods for truck drivers, similar to the previously given tips, is to keep your eyes moving at all times.

Driving hazards can appear out of nowhere at any time, therefore, no matter how quickly or slow you drive, your eyes should constantly be scanning the surrounding area to ensure that all hazards are considered.

Use a Dash Cam

Over the last few years, technology has become an increasingly important aspect of the trucking sector.

Dashboard cameras, also known as dashcams provide a number of advantages in addition to improving driver safety, including increased truck driver safety training and coaching programs, reduced CSA scores, and protection against fraudulent insurance claims. Dash cameras can also be forward-facing or dual-facing and can be positioned on the windshield or dashboard.

Maintain a Safe Driving Distance

Another vital piece of trucking advice is to maintain a safe and appropriate driving space between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) states that drivers should maintain a space of at least five seconds or more between themselves and the vehicle in front of them when moving over 40 miles per hour.

Furthermore, for every 10 miles per hour increase in speed, you should add another second to the total journey time.

Observe the Speed Limit

Although most drivers keep their speed at or slightly over the speed limit, certain conditions may require drivers to travel at a slower speed on occasion.

Drivers may need to reduce their speed to below the posted speed limit due to a variety of factors such as roadway conditions, weather conditions, visibility, and traffic patterns. While it may make the journey feel a little longer, it’s a minor price to pay for added safety.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Driving conditions can change significantly at any moment when you’re behind the wheel, especially over longer distances. Encourage your drivers to be ready for a variety of hazards, such as dangerous driving conditions or vehicle breakdowns.

In preparation for unexpected scenarios that may need them to pull off the highway for longer lengths of time, drivers should consider equipping their vehicles with water, food, a first aid kit, a change of clothing, and blankets.

Eat Well and Get Enough Sleep

Allow drivers to always put their own safety first and the safety of other road users. This entails urging drivers to take additional breaks if they become tired or fatigued while on the road.

Look Ahead While Driving

According to safe truck driving instructions, a driver should always look out for potential hazards that are at least 10 seconds ahead of where they are moving.

This means that drivers should monitor the road ahead of them to anticipate potential collisions.

Avoid Road Rage

The basic premise of defensive driving is to avoid other drivers who are either overly aggressive or simply reckless. While it may be tempting to indulge in road rage, drivers who allow their wrath to control their driving risk injuring themselves and others.

In the event of a road rage incident, encourage drivers to de-escalate the situation.

Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving allows truckers to be aware of potential changes in driving or road conditions at all times.

By anticipating potentially hazardous conditions, your drivers will be able to make safe and well-informed decisions behind the wheel, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Always Use Your Signal

It can be tempting for drivers who work on longer sections of the road or during non-peak traffic hours to make lane changes and exit highways without signaling.

Failure to indicate, on the other hand, can increase the risk of an accident.

Stay Alert at All Times

When you’re driving for long periods of time on the highway, it’s easy for your mind to wander, especially if the journey becomes tedious.

Experiment with different strategies to keep your eyes moving and your mind engaged with the road ahead of you to stay focused.

Make a Preventative Maintenance Schedule

The safety of your drivers begins with the safety of the vehicles they’re driving. If trucks are not kept up to date with basic maintenance, they are more prone to break down on the road.

Create a detailed preventive maintenance program for each vehicle in your fleet based on mileage, days, and previous repair history to guarantee that your trucks are in top shape when they return to the road.

Scan All Intersections

It is possible that drivers will run a red light or drive while preoccupied. Although most drivers want to begin driving as soon as the light turns green, taking an extra moment to scan the intersection and surrounding environment is a simple approach to avoid accidents.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of road accidents. Drivers can become distracted for a multitude of reasons, including eating something while driving to save time, smoking, talking on the phone, or texting.

It’s critical that truck drivers are more cautious because they are driving larger trucks that are more difficult to control, slow down more slowly, and have more blind spots.

Follow the Hours of Service

The hours of service (HOS) restrictions were established to assist drivers in reducing weariness and, as a result, improving road safety. Road crashes are frequently caused by driver weariness. 

Not sticking to your HOS limit is not only dangerous, but it’s also against the rules, so be sure you’re always in compliance by adhering to all applicable Hours of Service requirements.

Obey All Traffic Signs

The different road signs and local traffic restrictions in the area where you are driving are there for a reason, and you must pay special attention to all of them. Truck drivers will occasionally exceed the posted speed limit, especially if they are late or have been held for an extended amount of time by a shipper or receiver.

When driving over quick, sharp curves, uneven surfaces, construction hazards, and other road abnormalities, speeding may cause them to lose control of their car.

Keep Your Drivers Safe with Strong Tie Insurance

While it may be easier said than done, following the list of safety tips we’ve provided in this article can help significantly in keeping your truckers safe on the road.

We understand how tough it can be to find cheap commercial insurance for your commercial trucking company. With our help, we can help you protect your truck drivers and make the process of finding affordable commercial truck insurance as seamless as possible.

To speak with a commercial insurance representative about your commercial truck insurance needs and receive a free quote, contact us at Strong Tie Insurance today.

Stay warm and safe on the road with our cold weather hacks! Explore our blog post for essential tips to navigate challenging winter conditions. Drive with confidence using these road-tested insights.”