10 Tips To Help Keep Commercial Drivers Safe
There is no question that transport trucks play a needed role in upholding the economy both within the country and across the border. Is it surprising that dependence on transport trucks increases, and so does the number of collisions involving commercial vehicles? Each year, statistics show us Canadians how we are doing on the roads, and in 2018, the Ontario Provincial Police recorded 7,674 collisions/incidents involving transport trucks, of which 55 ended in fatalities. It seems important now, more than ever before that truck drivers are required to handle their vehicles confidently.
Safety challenges are a big concern for professional drivers in the Canadian trucking industry who work vigorously to transport goods across the country and beyond. Addressing these challenges is an important task to ensure the safety of truck drivers, the integrity of the cargo, and the ultimate safety of the other road users.
Regardless of the number of years that you may driven a commercial vehicle, it never hurts to brush up on some driving safety tips. With that in mind, here are ten safety tips commercial truck drivers should always consider when behind the wheel.
Three points of contact
One of the first reminders is to consider your three points of contact each time you enter or exit your truck and when climbing onto or down from the catwalk. Using your three points of contact should include either with both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand keeping in contact with the vehicle. It helps to prevent any potential injuries, such as tripping or slipping.
Safe loading & unloading practices
Before pulling onto the road, you should perform a supplementary check that vehicles and freight are secured. You should also check again before unloading, make sure your tractor engine is turned off, and ensure you apply tractor and trailer parking brakes. Before you pull out of a loading dock, do another check to make sure no one is still working in the trailer and that no equipment is near the truck or trailer.
Seven-second rule
Maintaining a minimum distance of seven seconds is the minimum distance you should keep in front of your vehicle while in motion under ideal driving conditions. It is to prevent collisions with other vehicles, and that you have time to react appropriately in the event of a sudden stop. If the road conditions are less than ideal, such as in icy or rainy weather, increase the space in front to more than seven seconds.
Avoid distractions
Driver distractions contribute to more than 4 million collisions and incidents in North America annually. These distractions can include anything from having phone notifications to reaching across the seat for a snack. Ensure you are in good condition before you get on the road. It would include ensuring you have gotten enough sleep and have eaten a meal before a long drive. To avoid a common distraction, place your cell phone on silent mode before you begin driving, and if you have to make a phone call that cannot wait, pull over to a safe place before making that call.
School/Construction zones
Keep your eyes moving to be aware of signs around schools and construction zones. Ensure you follow speed limits for the safety of children, their parents, and construction workers working or directing traffic in the immediate area.
Remember your lights
Keeping the truck’s visibility is very important to you and public safety. Always keep your headlights as clean as possible, and ensure the lights are always visible.
Use of cruise control
Any driver who regularly uses cruise control should know it can be dangerous in bad weather and heavy traffic areas, so avoid using it in these conditions. Using cruise control should also be avoided anytime you are required to have complete control over your vehicle, including on hilly roads, in school zones, in construction zones, or anytime around pedestrians.
Sunglasses
Whether you’re driving in the summer or winter, the bright sun can become a distraction for many drivers. Make sure you wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to help protect your eyes from the glare of the sunset or the light reflecting off the snow or wet road and keep the other road users safe. Always remember to remove your sunglasses any time you enter a tunnel or after the sun has set.
Speed limit
It is always a good idea to drive at the speed according to the road that you are traveling, never exceeding 100 km/hour on the highways, and keeping in mind the seven-second rule as stated above. Remember that speed limits have been designed for ideal driving conditions, so adjust your speed to the road and weather conditions or while in high-traffic areas.
Seatbelts
Statistics show that in 2018, approximately 30% of collision fatalities involved drivers (29.4%) or passengers (32.1%) who had not worn their seatbelts. Seatbelts save approximately 1,000 lives annually in Canada, so always wear yours when the vehicle is in motion, even through the yard. If you occupy a sleeper-berth, you should always wear all the necessary safety belts and restraints when the truck is in operation. For safety reasons, you should only occupy the upper bunk when the truck is securely parked.
Considering that the safest, most experienced commercial drivers risk getting into collisions now and then, it is to every commercial truck driver’s advantage to have a refresher on how you can drive safely every so often. Keep these ten tips available in your mind, and ensure your safety and that of the other road users.
Following these safety tips will protect you, the trucker, and your cargo, but it will help to promote a safer transportation industry.
Taking a refresher to remind you of safety tips even after you have been driving for many years is not a sign of weakness or that your driving is poor. It is a sign of strength. It shows you that you are an intelligent, educated commercial driver who knows you can always be learning and relearning something.