Top 8 Safety Tips for Commercial Truck Drivers

We have made truck driver safety a priority here at RIGGUARD and built grille guards to protect drivers and the trucks they drive — but driver safety is about more than just safety equipment. We want to help make the roads safer for commercial drivers and the other drivers on the road with this list of Top 8 Safety Tips for Commercial Truck Drivers.

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8 Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Highway safety starts with the man or woman behind the wheel and we hope that this list of driver safety tips will help keep you, the other drivers on the road, and your truck safe. Here is a better look at a few important safety tips for commercial truck drivers to keep in mind.

1. Plan Your Route

The first step towards improved safety for commercial truck drivers is knowing and understanding your route in advance to avoid high-traffic areas when possible, avoid inclement weather, and avoid detours that could delay shipments. A GPS is a valuable asset when you plan your route.

2. Remove Distractions

When drivers get behind the wheel, it is important that they avoid distractions that could lead to accidents. Data provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) indicates that drivers who text and drive are 23x more likely to be involved in an accident or near-accident. To remain safe, commercial truck drivers need to remove any and all distractions on the road.

3. Drive Defensively

Defensive driving may be the best thing you can do to protect yourself, other drivers, and your truck when you get behind the wheel. A study performed by the University of Michigan Transportation Institute found that an estimated 81% – 91% of accidents that involve a commercial vehicle are caused by personal cars, making it vital to drive defensively.

4. Invest in Protective Equipment

Drivers and fleet owners that invest in protective equipment — like grille guards and collision avoidance systems — gain an added layer of protection for drivers and their trucks. Advanced collision avoidance systems can help prevent accidents and grille guards can minimize the damage when an accident or animal strike does take place. This protective equipment and individual safety equipment all work in tandem to keep commercial drivers safe.

5. Keep Your Truck Maintained

Regular maintenance, preventative maintenance, and repairs are important to your safety. A vehicle that is in good condition and in proper working order will help keep you safe on the road, making it important for you to have a regular maintenance schedule that will prevent minor issues from becoming major repairs.

6. Perform Pre- and Post-Trip Inspections

Inspections — both before and after each trip — can help keep commercial truck drivers safe on the road. Inspections of key components, like brakes, brake lines, the air compressor, brake lights, the steering system, and tires can help you find key issues before you get behind the wheel or spot them soon after and ensure they are fixed.

7. Be Prepared for Inclement Weather

Truck drivers spend hours and days on the road driving across the country, and that means they are often faced with inclement weather and poor road conditions. Drivers need to be prepared for bad weather and have alternate routes planned in the event of poor road conditions or severe weather. Mobile weather apps can serve as a valuable asset to help drivers avoid extreme weather.

8. Maintain Situational Awareness

Drivers need to keep their head on a swivel at all times when they are behind the wheel. The ability to maintain situational awareness and always be aware of the vehicles and traffic around you can help you avoid accidents and adapt to the traffic flow.

Are you looking for ways to improve driver safety on the road? This list of Top 8 Safety Tips for Commercial Truck Drivers will help point you in the right direction and stay safe on your next trip. Contact RIGGUARD today for more information on our RIGGUARD products!