Road Safety for Truck Drivers

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, a total of 4,714 people died in large truck crashes in 2021, a 17 percent increase compared with 2020. Many of these accidents were a direct result of the lack of caution and awareness between drivers of cars and drivers of commercial vehicles while sharing the road. As a truck driver, understanding the power of the vehicle you drive and how it can affect others on the road is your responsibility. August is National Traffic Awareness Month; this month brings awareness to all drivers of the dangers of violating traffic laws and the frequency of accidents that occur because of reckless behavior. Although traffic laws are important and enforced for a reason, there are many safety measures truck drivers can take to keep themselves and others safe on the road.

Brake Safety

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) hosts Brake Safety Week from August 20th to 26th, 2023. Brake Safety Week is an annual commercial motor vehicle brake-safety inspection, enforcement and education initiative. Brake Safety is an important factor when it comes to avoiding accidents. Two areas truck drivers can concentrate on are overall brake maintenance and safe distances between vehicles.

Stay Up To Date on Equipment Maintenance

Many accidents on the road are due to equipment-related issues that could have been prevented with routine maintenance checks. Although brakes on commercial vehicles are designed to hold up under tough conditions, they must be inspected and maintained to perform properly. Because truck stopping distances are longer than those of a smaller vehicle, brake maintenance is crucial in assuring the braking capacity of your truck. Develop and follow a routine and preventive maintenance schedule.

Maintain a Safe Following Distance

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, due to their large size, semi-trucks require more vigilance when braking. Instead of being able to tap their brakes and immediately halt, truck drivers need approximately 600 feet to come to a complete stop––twice the distance of an average car. This total stopping distance includes the perception, reaction and braking distance. For most drivers, it takes anywhere between half a second and a full second to react to their surroundings. When you factor in heavy traffic, this reaction time becomes even more crucial for truck drivers.

Distracted Driving Awareness

Being an attentive and alert driver can help prevent unnecessary car accidents. Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,522 lives in 2021, According to the United States Department of Transportation. Distracted driving includes any activity that takes your eyes off the road while operating a motor vehicle. Be aware while driving, keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Eliminate the Use of Technology

Using your phone while driving increases the risk of an accident. Turn your phone on airplane mode, so you do not receive notifications or turn it off completely. Although you may think it is no big deal to reply to a text, taking your eyes off the road for even a second can result in a crash.

Save Snacks for Later

Much like using your cell phone while driving, eating and drinking in your vehicle requires you to take your eyes off the road and your hands to move from the steering wheel. Driving is not the time for multi-tasking. Eating while operating a vehicle can be dangerous and put you and others on the road in harm’s way. Save the snack for the rest area.

Roadside Safety

Considering the number of miles that a truck driver travels, accidents are inevitable. Unfortunately, accidents occur inside and outside of your vehicle. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2020 there were 6,516 pedestrians struck and killed in traffic crashes in the United States. That is 18 pedestrians per day or 125 pedestrians per week. If you must pull over for any reason, know the risks of when and where you pull over and know how to keep yourself safe when stepping outside of your truck.

Make Yourself Visible

If for any reason you must exit your vehicle while pulled over, it is imperative that you make yourself as visible as possible, especially at night. Always keep your hazard lights on to give other drivers an advanced warning. Be prepared by carrying a flashlight and reflective vest in your truck, as well as reflective emergency triangles to place around your truck.

Move to Safety

In a situation where you must pull off the road, safety is key. Remember that you are still on a highway and there are still cars passing by. If exiting the vehicle is necessary, always exit on the passenger side, furthest from the road. Keep yourself as far away from traffic as possible.

At PTP Transport, we care about the safety of our drivers. We make it our priority to continually educate our drivers. We reward drivers for putting safety first, by offering safety and performance bonuses, up-to-date equipment and 24/7 Penske Roadside assistance. To learn more about PTP, visit our contact page or give us a call at 334-539-5965.