If there’s one thing that all of us can find ourselves intimidated by when we’re on the road, it’s a big truck. Not only because of their size, but sometimes when they’re driving past us, especially in inclement weather, it can be hard to stay completely focused on the road; mostly because we find ourselves wondering if they are.
Yet if you ask a truck driver about how they feel as they’re going from one destination to the next, they will oftentimes share the same sentiment when it comes to wanting to do all that they can to be as safe as possible—both for their sake as well as for the sake of the cars around them.
So, if you’ve ever wondered about some of the safety tips that truckers have been taught, we wanted to share with you five of the top highway tips that all truckers are expected to practice below:
Be careful when it comes to idling. Here’s something that might surprise you. When a trucker is caught in a traffic jam on the highway, if it forces them to let their truck idle, they are actually advised to keep their truck doors closed and to wear a face mask. This helps to keep them from inhaling toxic fumes.
Be aware of the weather. There are a lot of things that truckers have to take into consideration when it comes to the weather; especially as it relates to rain and snow. For one thing, they are advised to go a bit slower than the speed limit when there are slick road conditions just so that they will have enough time to stop their truck when they see brake lights ahead of them. Also, during the winter season, they are expected to have tire chains and a full tank of gas. That helps to keep condensation out of their fuel lines.
Be willing to take a break. According to trucking regulations, a trucker is not allowed to do more than 11 hours of continual driving without taking a 10-hour break. The reason is because according to many studies, it’s actually more dangerous to drive while you’re sleepy than while you’re intoxicated (a good thing for all of us to keep in mind, actually).
Be away from the left lane (if at all possible). Although pretty much all of us have seen a trucker driving in the left lane (which is also known as the HOV lane or fast lane), the reality is that unless they are using that lane in order to pass other trucks (or extremely slow cars), they are actually not supposed to use that lane on a multi-lane highway. For the safety of them as well as the drivers around them, it is best for them to stay out of the left lane.
Be sure to keep your safety belt on. Even truckers experience accidents and one of the greatest causes of fatalities for them is when they fail to put on their seat belt and end up being ejected out of their trucks as a direct result. This is why it’s absolutely imperative for them to keep their seat belt on at all times. Not only is it the law, but it’s an effective way to protect them along the highways and byways too. For more information on the trucking industry, visit GoToTrucks.com.
