Top Truck Driving Safety Tips

Driving a truck involves a great deal of skill, loads of responsibility for the safety of others and yourself, but most importantly – good common sense. Keeping safe on the road is the single most defensive driving tactic you can take and one of the keys to keeping your insurance rates low.

Many accidents and injuries can be prevented by following certain safety procedures. As a truck driver, there are some simple things that you can do every day to ensure your own safety, as well as the safety of other drivers who share the road. Here are some helpful tips you can use:

1. Wear Your Seatbelt!

Studies show that roughly 1 in 6 truck drivers do not wear their safety belts. The use of seatbelts is not only required, but it’s also the most preventable way to reduce injury. More than 40% of crash-related deaths occur every year from not wearing a seatbelt.

2. Be Alert

Know everything going on around you. Always look well ahead down the road and around your rig. When driving down the highway, especially in heavy traffic, always plan an ‘escape route’. Be aware of who’s in front of you, beside you and behind you at all times. Be aware of everything, so you can act accordingly, if and when necessary. Being well rested keeps you at your best.

3. Always Maintain Your Truck

It can save your life. Inspect your truck before each trip and check your brakes regularly. Brake defects are the most frequently cited out-of-service inspection violation. Learn how to inspect your brakes, identify safety defects, and get them repaired before risking your life, and others, on the highway.

4. Check Weather Reports

Be aware of weather conditions before you go on a trip, and check the reports as often as you’re able while traveling. Keep an eye on your outside temperature to watch for changing road conditions. Knowing what to expect, helps a trucker be better prepared for bad weather driving and necessary precautions can be taken. Good trip planning is essential.

5. Adopt The Seven Second Rule

Consider seven seconds to be the minimum safe following distance under ideal conditions. Remember to leave extra space if conditions are less than ideal.

6. Don’t Use Your Cell Phone While Driving

Not only is it careless, but it is now illegal in most states to use a handheld mobile phone while driving. Talking, texting, tweeting or looking at your phone screen is distracting and can lead to a serious accident.

7. Slow Down

Be careful when making turns on a curvy road or at an off-ramp. Slow down accordingly to adjust for lane changes and other vehicles. This applies to work zones also. Almost one-third of work zone fatal crashes involved large trucks. Most of these crashes occurred during the day. Take your time going through work zones. Give yourself plenty of room, and expect the unexpected.

8. Keep Your Lights On

Keep your headlights and clearance lights on at all times when driving. Also, always make sure to keep your lights clean. Being visible is extremely important to your safety. Driving with lights on will allow a motorist to see your equipment sooner. This will allow other drivers more time to adjust to any potential hazards.

9. Wear Sunglasses

Blinding glare caused by low sun, sunlight reflecting off snow, other vehicles and buildings can be potentially lethal. This danger can be greatly reduced by wearing sunglasses with polarized lenses that filter glare. Choose sunglasses that have curved lenses to protect in front and to the sides, and thin frames to free up peripheral vision. Don’t forget to remove the sunglasses when entering tunnels.

10. Be Extra Cautious at Night 

Be aware of your fatigue level. If you feel tired, you better stop and take a rest. Be alert, move slowly and cautiously.