A total of 180,316 accidents involving large trucks and buses occurred in 2021. These accidents resulted in 5,414 fatalities and 89,313 injuries. Due to this, truckers need to know how to stay safe on the roads.
No one ever expects to be in an accident, but unfortunately, they happen daily. So, you must be careful to avoid accidents while on the road. If you are involved in a work-related accident, you should work with a reputable truck driver rights lawyer. The legal professional can help you get the compensation you deserve due to what happened. But here are some tips to consider to avoid getting involved in an accident while driving a large truck:
Check your blind spots before changing lanes.
Changing lanes can be a dangerous maneuver, especially if you don’t take the time to check your blind spots. Blind spots are the road areas obscured by your car’s pillars or objects in your vehicle, like the dashboard or seats. When changing lanes, it’s essential to ensure that there is no car in your blind spot, or you could end up crashing into them.
To check your blind spots, use your mirrors. The left mirror should show you what is happening on the left side of your vehicle, and the right mirror should show you what is happening on the right side of your vehicle. If you can’t see a car in either of your mirrors, it’s safe to change lanes. However, if you can see a vehicle in either of your mirrors, you must wait until that car moves out of your way before changing lanes.
Give yourself plenty of time to brake.
When driving, giving yourself plenty of time to brake is important. If you don’t, you could rear-end the vehicle in front of you. So consider the distance between you and the car in front of you.
And if you see that the car in front of you is starting to slow down, start braking sooner rather than later. Doing so will prevent a collision and keep yourself and everyone else safe on the road.
You want to avoid slamming on the brakes, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Be safe when driving by giving yourself plenty of time to brake.
Observe the speed limit.
When you’re driving, it’s essential to obey the speed limit. It is not only the law but also a safety issue. Driving too fast can lead to dangerous situations and can even be deadly.
There are many benefits to observing the speed limit. When you drive the correct speed for the road you are on, you are more likely to avoid accidents. You are also less likely to get a ticket, which can save you money. Driving at the correct speed also helps keep traffic flowing smoothly, making your commute easier.
The speed limits in the United States are 25 mph when driving in school districts or residential areas, 55 mph when driving on rural highways, and 70 mph when driving on rural Interstate highways. In some states, there are also different speed limits for night driving.
When you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to always drive safely. Obeying the speed limit is one way to do this. By driving the correct speed for the road you’re on, you can help keep yourself and others safe.
Don’t tailgate other vehicles.
Tailgating is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents. It is the act of following another motorist too closely. This aggressive driving behavior can result in crashing into the back of the vehicle in front.
When you tailgate another vehicle, you are putting yourself and the other drivers at risk. When you follow too closely, you cannot stop in time if the car in front of you slams on its brakes. You could end up hitting the vehicle in front of you or, even worse, being hit from behind.
To avoid being involved in a tailgating accident, always maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
The general rule of thumb is that for every 10 feet your vehicle is, you should leave one second in between you and the leading car. So, if you’re driving a 40-foot truck, that’s 4 seconds. For speeds over 40 mph, add an extra second to be safe.
Stay alert and rested.
Most people know that staying alert and rested is important. But only some people take the necessary steps to get enough sleep. Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, many people only get about six hours of sleep per night. This can lead to several health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
It’s crucial to ensure you get enough sleep to stay alert and rested. This will help you stay healthy and perform your best at work or school. Additionally, getting enough sleep will help you avoid accidents and ensure you are in a good mood. So make sure you are getting enough sleep each night and stay alert and rested!
Truck drivers play an essential role in the economy and must stay safe on the road. Following the tips in the article can help truckers keep themselves and everyone else safe on the road.
