Truckers have to be extra careful on the road.

Safe driving tips for truck drivers

July 18th, 2016 by

Truckers have to be extra careful on the road.

The summer is here and many are taking to the roads in search of fun in the sun. For commercial drivers and truckers, however, this means more traffic and motorists to contend with safely while on their delivery routes. Here are a few essential tips to help commercial drivers stay safe on the highways:

Mind blind spots
Trucks and other large commercial vehicles have bigger blind spots than the average car. On larger trucks, the so-called "no zones" where visibility is severely limited are usually to the front of the cab, just behind side mirrors and directly behind the truck. When changing lanes or merging, be extra mindful of your surroundings. 

Signal
Given the limited visibility and difficulty in adjusting quickly, signaling any turns well in advance of the lane change will reduce risk.

Don't tailgate
The sheer weight and inertia of a truck makes stopping on a dime near impossible. Maintain a large, respectful distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Reduce speed in work-zones
According to Allstate, nearly one-third of fatal work-zone accidents involve large trucks. From the bed of your cab, it may be hard to see the people working around you, so be sure to slow down and drive cautiously. 

Take curves slowly
The weight of a full bed of cargo can easily cause a truck taking a hard turn to topple over. Reduce speed concurrent to the sharpness of a turn. 

Distribute cargo weight evenly
Cargo stacked high in one area can create uneven drag on your trick. This can make it harder to pilot in certain areas, as well as reduce fuel economy. 

Pull over when you are tired
Truckers are under a lot of pressure to make their runs on time, but getting into an accident (or worse) because you are tired or distracted will only be worse for your deadline. Always pull over and rest if you feel yourself getting drowsy. Do not exceed your commercial driver hour restrictions on continuous driving. 

Adjust your driving in adverse weather
Rain, sleet, snow and heavy winds have a greater impact on trucks than they do other motor vehicles. When the weather starts to turn, slow down or pull over until it passes. Turn on your flashers to signal to those around you that you will be traveling under the speed limit. In snow, make sure you are using chains or snow-tires to increase your traction.

Keep fuel tanks full in winter
Empty fuel lines can accumulate water condensation, which can turn to frost if the temperature drops. Always maintain a full tank of gas. 

The final ingredient to road safety is an affordable car insurance quote from Fundy Mutual. Call us today to get started.