Owning or driving a truck is not hard. You need money to buy a truck and lessons to learn commercial driving. However, what is tough is an in-depth knowledge of the truck. If you do not know your vehicle well enough, you might end up stranded on a highway with a misbehaving heavy vehicle.
Trucking is not a very safe business. Mostly because truck drivers pay little to no attention to the safety protocols devised by the authorities. If you are a beginner and want to make sure your experience is safe and secure, follow these safety protocols when going on a long haul.
1. Know The Dimensions Of Your Vehicle
Trucks come in different sizes. Make sure that you know the dimensions of the truck you are driving. This is particularly important to make turns and know from where your vehicle can pass easily without scratching.
You should know the height of the vehicle. Make sure to know the weight of the truck with and without the loaf so that you know if your vehicle would be able to pass through a bridge or not.
2. Inspect Your Truck Before Going On A Trip
When you are leaving for the haul, make sure to Inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Also be sure to take care of trucking taxes involved in this business. You can see more here. You should check the air pressure in the tires, engine oil, brake oil, and other fluids essential for the proper functioning of the truck. Power Steering Pumps should be working fine, otherwise, you might have to deal with a stiff steering wheel or other problems related to the steering.
A thorough inspection of the vehicle can help you detect minor issues at an early stage before they become major issues at the oddest time possible.
3. Be A Defensive Driver
Most roadside accidents, especially on highways occur because of the negligence of the truck drivers. Accidents are not only costly but also destroy the reputation of the company. Being a truck driver, you should practice defensive driving.
Make sure that you are keeping your eyes on the road and covering all the blind spots. Slow down the speed on curves and turns.
4. Know Weather Updates
Roads get slippery in the rain and snowfall season. Make sure that you are aware of the weather conditions of the route you are taking, especially on the long haul. Prepare your vehicle accordingly.
Plan your trip before taking off. Know the weather conditions and strategize your move. You should know if there is a rain forecast or snowfall at the destination. You should keep iron chains and tows in your trunk for emergencies.
5. Never Overburn Yourself
A truck driver should never drive when he is tired or sleepy. The major reason behind truck accidents is exhausted truck drivers. When you are sleepy or too tired to drive, you might find it difficult to focus on the road.
Make sure that you take adequate breaks in between the trips. Overtiring yourself can only lead to accidents. Moreover, trucking authorities have strict rules when it comes to drivers’ rights and privileges.
