Being a professional Truck driver is a mentally and physically demanding job whether you drive locally or nationally. Below we’ve compiled a basic list of safety tips to think about before, during, and after your driving travels.
- Get plenty of rest before your trip:
It's important to start your trip well-rested to ensure that you are alert and able to make good decisions while driving. Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your trip.
- Check your vehicle before you start driving:
Before you hit the road, make sure to perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle. This should include checking the brakes, tires, lights, and any other safety-critical systems.
- Plan your route ahead of time:
Plan your route ahead of time to avoid any unnecessary detours or delays. Make sure to account for any construction, traffic, or weather conditions that may affect your trip.
- Follow all traffic laws and regulations:
As a professional driver, it's important to follow all traffic laws and regulations to ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road. This includes observing speed limits, signaling when changing lanes, and obeying traffic signals and signs.
- Keep a safe following distance:
To give yourself plenty of time to react to any hazards on the road, make sure to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. This is typically considered to be at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
- Use your signals when changing lanes:
Make sure to use your signals when changing lanes to let other drivers know your intentions. This will help prevent any misunderstandings or collisions on the road.
- Avoid distractions while driving:
It's important to stay focused while driving to avoid any accidents or incidents. This means avoiding any distractions such as texting, eating, or using a GPS while driving.
- Wear your seatbelt at all times:
Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most important safety precautions you can take while driving. Make sure to buckle up every time you get behind the wheel.
- Slow down in inclement weather:
In bad weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog, it's important to slow down and exercise caution. These conditions can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents, so it's important to take extra precautions.
- Stay alert in construction zones:
Construction zones can be particularly dangerous for semi trucks due to their size and weight. Make sure to pay extra attention and follow any posted speed limits or detour signs when driving through construction areas.
There are plenty more safety tips and rules of the road that you should follow as well but we hope this list is a good starting point and checklist that you can use.
Remember, if you need semi-storage for when you aren’t on the road, STOW IT works with hundreds of locations around the country to help you find and rent secure semi-truck and trailer storage.