Every year approximately 600 truck drivers die in highway accidents, thousands more are injured, and thousands of citizens die or are injured in accidents involving a truck. The most important element in avoiding accidents out on the road and how you can be safe starts with y-o-u. It’s up to you to know and follow regulations and practice safe driving.
 
Here are our ABC’s of Driving Safety to keep you and other motorists driving safe:
 
Awareness. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Braking. Give yourself enough time. (It’s recommended to leave one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length.) 
Checks. Inspections are not only important but often required by your carrier and the law.
Defensive driving. Avoid aggressive drivers and maintain a safe speed. Excessive speed increases your chance for an accident. (Two thirds of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive drivers.)
Effective fuel management. Manage fuel consumption by buying fuel within your company’s fuel network, limiting idle time and slowly accelerating and decelerating. Have your fuel stops planned ahead of time so you don’t have to quickly switch lanes to exit for a truck stop when you’re low on fuel. 
Fasten your seatbelt. Buckle up. It’s the law!
General health. According to the Massachusetts DOT, things such as arthritis, poor vision or hearing, mental abilities and drugs and alcohol can significantly impair your driving abilities. And they recommend if you are sick you should take some time off to feel better before you get back on the road. Remember to read those warning labels if you are on any medication, they can impair your driving as well.
Hoses, clamps and belts. Make sure they are not worn, loose, or in need or replacement. Add checking these items to your pre-trip and post-trip inspections. 
Intersections. According to the DOT over 20% of roadway fatalities in the US happen in intersections or are intersection related. Be cautious of the drivers around you when crossing through an intersection.
Jumping from the cab to the ground. Don’t do it! Your body is not prepared for the impact. Climb down from the cab. 
Keep your distance. The best and safest following distance can vary for each truck. (Again it’s recommended to leave one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length.)
Lane departure systems. This system uses video cameras to monitor the road and provides an audible warning if your vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. (Ask your dealer for more information.)
Mirrors. Use your mirrors before making a turn or switching lanes. In a truck you need more turning area and more room for lane changes.
No-Zone awareness. The “no-zone” represents the danger areas around trucks where crashes are more likely to occur. You may know your “no-zone,” but other drivers may not. Some are blind spots and can make vehicles disappear. Be aware of all of your no-zones to avoid accidents.
Obey the law. You should have a working knowledge of the laws for heavy trucks created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA). Your CSA score can be affected if you do not pass their roadside inspections and it's been found that poor performance in the safety areas they test causes crashes the most. The categories tested are: unsafe driving, driver fatigue (hours of service), driver fitness, controlled substance and alcohol, vehicle maintenance, cargo related, and crash history. Violations can count against you and your carrier. 
Parking. The USDOT found that more than half of truck drivers could not find adequate parking at truck stops that gave them enough space safely pull in and out. You cannot change the situation at truck stops but here are some tips on how you can be as safe as possible when you have to park elsewhere:
- Avoid using the shoulder for parking unless an unsafe vehicle condition or mechanical  situation requires you to do so.
- Never park on soft shoulders, blind curves or off ramps.
- Use reflective devices, or flares to warn other drivers of your vehicle location if you are 10 feet of a right of way.
Quick lane changes. Always be alert to other drivers on the road.
Road Vibrations. Cab seats should have good anti-vibration characteristics. Some of the natural vibration frequencies that vehicles operate at are also frequencies at which the spine is more likely to be injured long-term. ( Click here for more information on Cab Seat Safety.) Tilting the seat back a little from vertical may reduce the amount of vibration and road shock that travels directly up the spine. Maintain proper tire pressure and suspension systems as well as lower the back part of the seat so that the “sit bones” don’t bear all you body weight.
Speed. Watch the speed limits and adjust your speed appropriately.  Speed alone is rarely the cause of accidents. Differences in speed are the main problem, according to The National Motorists Association. So make sure you are going the appropriate truck speed limit and with the flow of traffic, but keep in mind the speed where you get the best fuel efficiency.
Tires. They need to be properly inflated and not worn. Look for cuts, cracks and excessive wear in your pre-trip check. Get a tire pressure gauge and inflate your tires to the recommended psi stated in your handbook.
Unusual Sounds. As part of your pre-trip check, listen for unusual sounds after you turn on the vehicle.
Vehicle Inspection. Besides your pre-trip checks, once a week perform a thorough inspection and follow the checklist from your handbook. The list should include checking the tire pressure, oil, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering brake fluid, and windshield wiper blades. Check your belts for cracks, dry rotting and shredding threads.
X-pect the UneXpected. You never know what other drivers are going to do, what hazards the road might present and what natural obstacles might come into your path. 
Weather. Poor weather conditions can be dangerous and cause thousands of accidents each year. Check the weather before a trip and be prepared for the conditions ahead. For example, fog is one of the many hazardous road conditions that require you to be extra alert.  Double check all of your lights and maybe get a cup of coffee before you hit the road to keep you focused.
Your lights. Turn them on in low light as well as darkness. In your pre-trip check make sure your turning lamps are blinking and the headlights are burning so drivers see you coming.
Zzzzz. Get a good night sleep. Numerous studies have found that sleep deprivation can affect driving as much as (and sometimes more than) alcohol.
 
Truck driving can be a dangerous job but if we do our part to be safe while on the road, we can help decrease those highway accidents. Drive safe out there!

Comments (15)

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The dual speed limits imo are a contributing factor to issues. Also, I don't know how many times a car has passed just to slam on brakes as soon as they are in front of the truck and go 10 mph slower.

December 14, 2015 8:23:51 AM

Safety First. Alot of people have 2 speeds fast and stop this includes some aggresive Truck Drivers.

October 09, 2012 7:50:27 AM

Slow down and save a little. Driving slower also reduces stress.

October 07, 2012 18:57:27 PM

Alot of great information , Thanks

September 23, 2012 11:37:26 AM

By slowing down to 57 mph, not only do I get great fuel mileage but I have much more time to react to unexpected situations. I never worry where the cops are because I'm not going fast enough to get in trouble. Driving slower is a lot less stressful also.
Many years ago I was taught to allow one vehicle length (my vehicle) for every 10 mph of speed on dry roads. Two vehicle lengths (per 10 mph of speed) when wet. Three vehicle lengths (per 10 mph of speed) when snowy and 4 vehicle lengths (per 10 mph of speed) when icy. It still works today.

August 31, 2012 13:59:59 PM

I like X, always expect the unexpected. Its a little thinking game i do while driving, i imagine what if situations and my response to them.

August 16, 2012 19:51:31 PM

We have found that while we work on saving fuel we also drive safer and steadier. With CSA we cannot afford to do anything that would cause us to gain points by being unsafe driving. We installed a LDWS on our truck as an additional type of insurance to keep us safe. The LDWS is the most ANNOYING piece of equipment on our truck as when it goes off it a very loud reminder that we are not staying in our lane! It is amazing to me how many drivers are hurt each year by slipping and falling off of their truck steps. It is easy enough to slip when getting out of the truck correctly so why take a chance of being hurt when getting out wrong. Patience is the key when driving and when being around trucks.

August 02, 2012 8:23:28 AM

Here is another tip I just thought of. I call this tip "heres your sign" If you are driving down the road and see a large number of "skid " marks on the highway it tells you that dangerous things happen at that location often . Its a good idea to be extra vigilant and cautious when this "sign " appears on the roadway.

July 31, 2012 17:40:09 PM

The older I get the more I relize slowing down and just taking your time doesnt change my arrival time by enough to worry about. When the cars zip in front of me they are normally going so much faster it does not affect me at all.Being in less of a hurry also allows me to arrive safely and stress free. Its like the rabbit and the turtle story many of us grew up reading.

July 27, 2012 17:09:10 PM

Stay in a good RPM range and steady whenever possible. It has to be a reasonable speed but remember everything improves when you drive at optimum RPMs. Safety,Stress level, MPG, Income, maintenance etc.

July 27, 2012 12:00:38 PM

Another "P" to give credence to is the Pretrip.

July 26, 2012 16:22:29 PM

Very creative presentation. A lot of useful tips.

July 26, 2012 11:39:18 AM

I'm sure cow catchers and/or howitzers come to mind with great regularity. :)

July 26, 2012 10:24:02 AM

Grant I agree, and it can be frustrating, but it's better to let them in and back off a little to maintain your distance than put your self or the aggressive river in harms way, especially during traffic when sudden stops can hit you out of nowhere.

July 26, 2012 9:37:59 AM

Keeping your distance is awfully hard...every time I leave plenty of space in between the vehicle in front of me, somebody always darts right in front of me. WHAT A PAIN.

July 19, 2012 14:19:40 PM