Truck Driver Safety Tips for Accident Prevention

Truck driving can present a unique set of dangers during the duration of the trip because trucks are often much larger than other vehicles on the road. If a large truck comes in contact with a smaller vehicle, the consequences can be devastating to both parties.

Utilizing these truck driving safety tips can help diminish the likelihood of vehicle crashes, particularly when driving long distances, through unknown road conditions, and with unpredictable weather conditions. To stay safer on the road and prevent accidents, take note of these five truck driver safety tips for accident prevention.

How Common Are Trucking Accidents?

Each year in the United States, more than 50,000 trucking accidents occur, 5,000 of which result in fatalities. The worst injuries result from crashes that occur involving freight trucks and smaller vehicles. Of these crashes, approximately one-third of the accidents are caused by tire defects.

To avoid an accident caused by a maintenance malfunction, truck drivers can complete a commercial driver’s license (CDL) pre-trip inspection to evaluate the safety of their vehicle. In doing so, truckers can better determine which of their vehicle’s safety features are up-to-date and which may need maintenance before they embark on their journey. Doing so can prevent accidents, promote safety while driving, and save lives while driving on the road.

It is also a good idea for drivers to complete post-trip inspections to determine if any damage has occurred to the vehicle during transit. This will promote safe driving by ensuring that the vehicle is in good condition and does not require any maintenance before returning to the road.

How Can You Prevent a Trucking Accident?

You can take several steps to prevent an accident while driving a truck. From wearing a seatbelt to monitoring driving conditions, learn how to prevent an accident while driving a truck.

Monitor Blind Spots

Unlike other vehicles, large trucks have an increased number of blind spots, which can make it more difficult to see pedestrians, motorists, roadblocks, and other vehicles. Because large trucks can measure as much as four times the size of a car, it can be challenging to determine what visibility you may have. Approximately 10 percent of accidents are caused by a lack of visibility.

Before getting on the road, it is a good idea to determine what blind spots your vehicle may have and to be aware of them as you drive. Establishing a safe stopping distance between your truck and other vehicles can help diminish the likelihood of causing an accident due to a lack of visibility.

When completing a lane change, it is crucial to use your mirrors and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and any surrounding cars in case there is a vehicle in your blind spot that you may not see. It is also important to use your dashcam to provide increased visibility when driving and making turns.

Turn Wide

When making turns while driving a truck, it can be challenging to gauge the amount of space needed to clear the surrounding area and any nearby vehicles. Particularly when making a right turn, the convex mirror may be difficult to see, making it hard to see your surroundings properly.

When turning the steering wheel, the truck’s tractor-trailer will not move directly with the front of the vehicle, as it would when driving a car. Truck drivers need to turn wide to avoid coming in contact with any surrounding vehicles.

Because a wider turn requires more space, truckers must alert other drivers that they are turning with their turn signals 100 feet before they make the turn. Doing so will ensure that other vehicles and potential pedestrians are aware that the truck is approaching and will provide the truck with plenty of room to turn.

Slowing down your speed before approaching a curve or turn is important. Turning too quickly or braking during a turn can cause the truck’s wheels to lock, resulting in skidding and losing control of your vehicle.

Drive the Speed Limit

Driving and monitoring the posted speed limit is crucial to preventing collisions while on the road, particularly when driving semi-trucks or big rigs. According to the Large Crash Causation Study (LTCCS), 23 percent of large-truck accidents occur solely because a truck was driving too fast for current road conditions.

Driving the speed limit will ensure that you have time to increase or decrease your speed in case there is an unpredicted hazard on the road. Trucks need to reduce their speed in the case of entrance or exit ramps, heavy traffic, motorists, road zones, gravel roads, work zones, curves, sharp turns, and in the case of winter driving, bad weather, or difficult road conditions.

Communicate With Other Drivers

Communicating with other drivers is necessary to stay safe on the road, particularly when you are a professional truck driver. Observing the road and using defensive driving can help you to scan the road and navigate safely.

The truck’s horn, brakes, and turn signals allow you to communicate with other drivers and alert them of your next move. Allowing plenty of time before you turn to signal to other drivers will ensure that they give you plenty of time to clear the side of the road.

What Happens if You Are in a Truck Accident?

If you have gotten in an accident, you must contact police and file an incident report, regardless of if any visible damage has occurred to your vehicle. It is also a good idea to seek medical attention as needed to ensure that you are not suffering from underlying injuries.

It is also necessary to contact your freight transportation provider and your insurance company to evaluate any damages that may have taken place to the motor vehicle. You may also need to fill out an accident report form with your trucking company, with information such as your truck’s Department of Transportation (DOT) number and contact information.

The Bottom Line

As a member of the trucking industry, it is important to maintain safe practices on the road to diminish the likelihood of getting in a collision. You will save lives and prevent unnecessary accidents by taking steps to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

Transportation services like RPM can help you ensure that you stay safe on the road with carriers, freight, and vehicle services that deliver the highest quality of driver satisfaction. RPM will protect you in the event of a trucking accident with end-to-end transportation services you can rely on.