One thing is almost always guaranteed when the holidays arrive: truck drivers will be traveling
considerably more frequently. It is actually possible for there to be almost 36% more drivers on
the road at any given time during the holiday season, including enormous trucks that are
delivering goods to homes and businesses all throughout the nation. Given the increased
number of trucks on the road, it is crucial that truck drivers drive cautiously and with awareness
of their surroundings.
There are more truck drivers than ever on the road, therefore it’s critical that they constantly
practice safe driving techniques and have complete awareness of their surroundings to prevent
truck accidents.
TRUCK DRIVERS MUST TAKE PROPER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, INCLUDING:
BEING PATIENT
Truck drivers should remain aware of weather conditions and make sure they have ample time to get to their destination safely by being as patient as possible. No trucker should drive in severe conditions and rush to get a job done, risking a serious crash. Truck drivers must maintain sufficient space between vehicles to allow ample time for stopping and driving at a slower pace.
NOT EXCEEDING DRIVING HOURS
Federal law says truck drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving per day. These laws are in place to limit potential accidents that could arise from sleep deprivation. During the holidays, drivers should ensure they take care of themselves by getting an adequate amount of sleep and food in order to stay refreshed and alert behind the wheel.
MINIMIZING LANE CHANGES
Constantly changing lanes on the road is incredibly dangerous for large commercial trucks. This is because big rigs have multiple blind spots that could result in an accident if a lane change is not properly executed. Truck drivers should minimize the amount of lane changes they make and signal as early as possible to let other drivers know they plan to move over soon.
KEEPING FUEL TANKS FULL
When on the road this holiday season, all vehicles should ensure they keep their fuel tanks full during the winter months. With 18-wheelers, full fuel tanks actually add more weight onto the tires to allow for better traction.
MAINTAINING TRUCKS
Truck component parts and mechanisms should be maintained no matter the time of year – but especially during the holidays. For example, properly maintained headlights can help truck drivers have enough time to stop before causing an accident. Headlights should be regularly cleaned in order to avoid accumulating layers of dirt or snow that could further obstruct the view of the driver.
WATCHING OUT FOR WORK ZONES
Work zones are incredibly common to come across on the road – especially in busy cities like Houston. Because of this, truck drivers should slow down the moment they come across a work zone in order to keep workers safe. Truck drivers can potentially lose their commercial driver’s license if they speed near or in a work zone.
