Rules of the Road: Safety Rules for Truck Drivers

Safety is an important concern especially when driving large commercial vehicles. Any massive truck leaves a very small margin for error and when accidents do happen, the result can be extensive in both injury and physical damage.

After years of scrutinizing accidents involving commercial vehicles, the causes of accidents can be narrowed down to three basic categories: operator error, vehicle malfunction, and poor road conditions.

• Operator Error - The first and most common cause of accidents is driver error. This includes reckless driving, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and negative behavior that complicates the driver's performance.
• Vehicle Malfunction - The second cause of accidents is a malfunction of the vehicle itself. The most common culprit for this cause is brake failure followed by unsecured cargo.
• Poor Road Conditions - The third on the list is bad road conditions. Conditions such as slippery roads, roads with potholes, and roads under constructions can also trigger accidents.

Keeping all commercial trucks safe means avoiding conditions that could likely lead to road accidents. Following are some meas-ures related to the above categories that a truck driver could take to reduce the likelihood of accidents and increase safety on the highways.

Attitude- Because the driver maintains overall control of the vehicle, that person's attitude greatly influences the overall perform-ance of the vehicle and its safety. Consider the following recommendations:

• Stick to the basics - Big truck drivers should always follow the basic rules of traffic. This is the most straightforward way to avoid road collisions. This includes following the speed limit, driving in the proper lane, and using proper signals. 
• Don't drink and drive - Drinking alcoholic beverages reduces the driver's level of alertness and response time, thus limiting driver performance. The same goes with taking prohibited drugs. Even over-the-counter drugs, when driving, can have the potential to interfere with a driver's judgment and ability to focus.
• Maintain a positive mood - The driver's mood is projected on the way that person handles the vehicle. As much as possible, operators should always maintain a cool head despite the normal driving pressures.

Truck Reliability - Performance plays a huge role in safety. Sudden breakdowns and malfunctions can easily lead to accidents. It is always important to keep the truck in the best possible condition to prevent accidents from happening related to vehicle perform-ance. Following are some suggestions for vehicle care:

• Follow a maintenance schedule - Like every other vehicle, trucks have a required maintenance schedule to follow. Manufac-turers have already determined which parts are prone to wear-and-tear as well as an appropriate maintenance schedule. Failure to follow the scheduled maintenance and replacement of parts could affect the truck's performance and safety.
• Perform pre-driving inspection - Drivers should always make a quick inspection on the important parts of the truck before driving to ensure the vehicle is in good condition. Prior to operating, drivers should inspect the tires for over or under infla-tion. The air pressure on each tire should be balanced and suitable for the load normally carried. Brakes should also be checked to ensure that they generate required stopping power.
• Secure cargo - Accidents can also occur due to unsecured cargo as well as overloading. Before transporting cargo, always make sure that the weight of the load is well within the vehicle's capacity. It is also important to make sure that the cargo is secured and distributed properly to achieve good load balance and prevent any shifting of the load while driving.

When operating a commercial truck, always remember that safety should be at the top of every priority list. The truck being driven should be maintained in top-notch shape. A driver should always be well rested before driving any vehicle. Make sure to perform a routine inspection on the truck before driving. Follow all the rules of the road. By putting safety at the top of the list, dangerous and costly mistakes on the road that could lead to an accident can be prevented! For more additional information regarding commercial truck drivers, you may contact Brent Thunstrom at brent@covermybigrig.com