No matter how good of a driver you are, accidents do happen. Unfortunately, these often occur due to the negligence of other drivers. That being said, you need to drive as safely as possible, in order to get your load from one place to another (and then to get home).
Here are some tips to drive safely as a truck driver.
Drive according to road conditions. If the roads aren’t dry, you are going to have to reduce your speed. This is especially true during the winter months. However, a quick shower during the summer can also be dangerous. The oil mixes with the water, making it very slippery. Always slow down when needed.
When getting on and off of the highway, slow down. Truck rollovers are very common when truck drivers don’t slow down enough. Some ramps have really sharp turns, which can cause you to lose control of your truck and trailer.
Maintain distance between vehicles. Accidents often happen because people drive too close together. If someone breaks (or turns suddenly), nobody has enough time to react.
Keep an eye on your mirrors. It is important that you know who is around you and where they are at all times. For this reason, you need to keep checking your mirrors so you can follow those that are around you.
Take breaks when necessary. Long drives are common for commercial truck drivers, but that doesn’t mean that it is necessarily good. Too many drivers keep driving, no matter how tired they feel. This leads to slower response times, which could mean the difference between an accident or avoiding one.
Driving safely should be your biggest concern as a commercial truck driver. Make sure that you drive according to the road conditions. Slow down when the roads are wet and icy. You should also work hard to maintain a good distance between you and the other drivers. You also need to take a break if you are struggling to stay awake. You won’t be as safe if you are too tired.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for all of your commercial truck insurance needs. We offer insurance for commercial trucks in Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.
