Many individuals want to be at the control of a big truck. They yearn for the freedom of working on their own and want to be able to visit marvellous places. You can succeed in this line of work if you are good at what you do. Truck driving implies more than getting a vehicle from point A to point B. Safety is the most important concern. If you take a close look at the statistics, you will immediately understand that chauffeurs are getting into more and more accidents. It is not uncommon to be injured on the job. Long-haul trucking is one of the riskiest jobs. The demands of the profession, such as working long hours and stress, make injuries that more common. If this is your first year as a truck driver, you need to pay close attention. Not only is it important to protect yourself from accidents, but also protect the company for which you are working. These are the tips that you need to know about.
Pay full attention to things around you
Unobservant drivers are prone to making errors, which in turn can lead to injuries and even accidents. Pay attention to everything that is going on around you. You need to stay sharp no matter the hour. Attentive driving will keep you out of harm’s way. Focus all your attention on the road because a lot of things can happen. Distractions, such as cell phones and radios, can create dangerous conditions, limiting your ability to respond in emergency situations, which is the reason why you should block them. Be aware of what is in front of you and behind you at all times. Surprises are the last thing you want. Try to practice mindful traveling. This involves being hyper-conscious when you are behind the wheel. It is not possible to undertake several tasks at once, so you should better concentrate on what lies ahead of the road.
Drive slow on ice
Driving in the winter is incredibly dangerous. If you drive a heavy goods vehicle, you have to be prepared for every situation, including driving on ice. It is recommendable to drive slower than you normally would so as to protect yourself. When it is snowing or raining, take preventative measures. Sudden movements can cause you to lose control of the truck. Avoid the temptation of accelerating and braking. It is important to use your judgement. In the off-set that there is no visibility, do not stop. Keep on going until you get the vehicle away from the road. You need to take action to avoid a collision. The additional distance that you will cover will keep you unharmed.
Check the blind spots
There is nothing more important than checking your blind spot when driving a truck. The blind spot is the area around the truck that cannot be overseen directly. Properly adjusting the mirrors will not help you eliminate the blind spots. You will be able only to alleviate them. The vast majority of accidents involving trucks occur due to the blind spots. Most likely, your company has equipped the fleet of vehicles with intelligent systems for blind spot detection. Why do you not take advantage of them? If the wheeled vehicle for hauling features a reversing camera, make sure to use it. It will help you take advantage of lane changing and identify lurking dangers. The great things about reversing cameras is that it is not necessary to turn the camera. An ever-increasing number of companies are investing in vehicle safety technology. You ought to be truly grateful that your employer is concerned with the wellbeing of the employees.
Take a nap every now and then
Getting enough sleep is important to say the least. In addition to reducing the risk of accident, sleeping supports your health. As a chauffeur, you spend countless hours on the road, moving goods quickly and efficiently. It is rather a lifestyle than a job. What happens if you do not get enough rest, you will not be able to function properly. To be more precise, the brain will not be functioning like it used to. The reaction times will be considerably reduced, so you will not be able to prevent an accident. When you are too tired to drive, take a nap. Sleep for about 20 minutes. This will help you recharge your batteries, giving you the boost that you need to do well on the road. Take a nap whenever you feel the need to. If you notice that you have difficulty keeping your eyes open or you start to drift along lanes, take a break immediately.
Do not make sudden lane changes
It does not matter if you are driving on a busy metropolitan four lane road or an interstate highway. Do not make sudden changes, especially in front of cars. The reason for this is that you risk producing an accident. If it is really necessary to change lanes, be cautious, as you never know what could happen. Every time that you make a movement, the odds of a collision increase. Of all the driving mistakes that you can make as a newbie is not planning in advance. Prior to changing lanes, it is essential to check out what all the other drivers are doing. Reduce your speed and see what is going on. Ideally, you should keep lane changes to a minimum. In other words, the fewer lane changes you make the better.
Final considerations
Your first truck driving job will be pleasant, there is no doubt about that. However, it is important to not forget about the fact that you are a beginner and you are likely to make mistakes, without even realizing it. The company that employed you took the necessary measures to ensure your protection. Now, it is up to you to do everything possible to look after yourself. When driving behind the 18-wheelers, you can never be too careful.
