When there are too many truck accidents, a truck driver’s livelihood at risk. Employers wish to employ safer drivers, so ones that have too many accidents in their past are avoided. Even for drivers who love the open road and getting goods to where they need to go, this can be tragic.
Here is how to avoid being involved in a truck accident.
Don’t Drive Too Many Hours
There are legal limitations to how many hours a truck driver should be behind the wheel in a given week or 8-day period. However, the safer drivers avoid driving for this long because while it may earn them a little higher wage that week, they risk losing their job because of a major accident. Gaining a little and potentially losing a lot is a poor risk.
Furthermore, truck drivers should avoid driving the maximum of 11 hours daily within their weekly and 8-day limits too. Dealing with fatigue and making mistakes on the road due to driving for too long leads to the need to hire truck accident lawyers to represent you. While they’re probably decent folk, no one wants the stress of a legal case hanging over them. So, keep the hours to a realistic level to avoid driving while overly tired and prevent the potential accident.
Bear in mind that it’s impossible to avoid all accidents. Some are completely the other driver’s fault. So, if that happens to you, ensure you have good legal representation. It can make all the difference.
Allow More Time for Braking
It’s easy to forget but larger, heavier vehicles require more braking power and time to stop. The forward motion coupled with their hulking size means that while a small car can come to a complete stop in just a few seconds, larger trucks (and smaller ones too) cannot do the same.
By traveling at a slower speed and being alert to hit the brakes earlier when there’s trouble up ahead, truck drivers reduce the likelihood of an impact. Not only that, but any collision is going to be less damaging for all involved when it’s at a reduced speed.
Keep Up with the Servicing Schedule
When you’re assigned a particular truck and the other trucks in the fleet are taken, then effectively that truck is your responsibility.
Ensure that its servicing schedule is well maintained. Trucks sustain far more wear and tear than the average vehicle and carry a larger weight. This takes its toll, which is evident in part failures and unexpected breakdowns.
Be Mindful of the Weather
While you may have a schedule to keep, be mindful of the weather conditions. There are plenty of truck drivers who end up with an overturned truck because of wheels sliding off the road on slick roads or snow-covered stretches.
If it’s necessary to slow down to account for bad weather, then do so. It’s better to take a bit more time and to update your dispatcher at the office than to risk an accident. The latter will be far worse for everyone involved.
To avoid a truck accident, don’t get distracted or forget to take regular breaks. You’re not invulnerable to making mistakes either. Also, think about the longevity of your job and what you can earn during that time, rather than taking unnecessary risks.
