• Home
  • Get A Quote
  • Customer Service
  • Refer a Friend
  • About Us
  • Location Map
  • Employee Directory
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
 
CALL US AT 352.332.0180
Home
  • Home
  • Get A Quote
  • Customer Service
  • What We Offer
    • Auto Insurance
    • Business Insurance
    • Commercial Auto Insurance
    • Contractors Insurance
    • Home Insurance
    • Renters Insurance
    • Boat | Motorcycle | RV
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Secure File Area
    • Refer a Friend
    • Important Links
    • Insurance Glossary
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Location Map
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
Auto Insurance PERSONAL AUTO
Auto Insurance COMMERCIAL AUTO
Homeowners Insurance HOME
Business Insurance BUSINESS
Toy Insurance TOYS
Contractors Insurance CONTRACTORS
Home > Blog > 11 Steps To Improving Truck Driver Safety
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

11 Steps To Improving Truck Driver Safety

11 Steps To Improving Truck Driver Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the fatality rate for occupants of large trucks involved in crashes rose from 0.17 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009 to 0.25 just four years later. The nearly 50 percent increase shows that this hazardous occupation is growing even more risky. However, there are several steps drivers can take to reduce their risk of injuries.

  1. Practice good vehicle maintenance. Check the truck's condition every morning, especially the condition of the brakes. Report any unusual conditions to the dispatcher.
  2. Stack cargo in low piles spread evenly through the trailer. This reduces drag on the truck and makes it easier to handle.
  3. Drivers should always wear seat belts. Passengers not wearing seat belts make up the majority of those killed in car accidents. Government data shows that drivers who do not wear seat belts are 25 times more likely to be killed if they are ejected from their vehicles.
  4. Slow down in poor weather, at night, on curves and highway ramps, in work zones, and when hauling loaded trailers. One quarter of speeding-related large truck fatalities occur when the weather is poor. Another 40 percent occur on curves, and 20 to 30 percent of large truck crashes occur on entrance and exit ramps.
  5. Plan out routes on unfamiliar roads in advance. Avoid making sudden corrections after missing a turn or exit, and always signal when changing lanes or turning. Statistics show that 22 percent of large truck crashes happen when drivers are not familiar with the roads.
  6. Drive defensively and be aware at all times of what is on all four sides of the truck. Be alert to cars that may be in the driver's blind spot. Watch for brake lights. Use caution when approaching intersections.
  7. Change lanes infrequently. If it is necessary to move over, do so carefully, checking mirrors and staying aware of what may be in blind spots.
  8. Avoid driving while tired. Get plenty of sleep before a trip, eat healthy meals, watch out for signs of fatigue, and take naps when necessary. Tricks such as turning up the radio or unrolling windows may help for a short time, but they do not solve the problem. Also, coffee takes time to provide an energy boost.
  9. Resist distractions. Dialing a phone, texting, using a dispatching device, reading maps, eating and drinking, and watching objects outside the truck can all divert the driver's attention and increase the risk of a crash.
  10. Leave plenty of distance between the truck and the vehicle ahead. Experts advise one second of driving time for every 10 feet of vehicle length, plus one extra second at speeds above 40 mph. Double that in poor weather.
  11. If possible, avoid driving during heavy traffic times and at rush hours.

Driving is a dangerous activity, especially when driving a loaded rig. Any driver may be prone to acting in ways that increase the hazards of driving. Following these suggestions will reduce those hazards and better protect drivers if crashes happen.

Thank you for visiting the Partners Insurance Agency blog. We hope you found our content helpful and informative.


Posted 12:00 PM

Tags: truck driving safety, insurance
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016

  • insurance(99)
  • homeowners insurance(44)
  • auto insurance(40)
  • business insurance(29)
  • home insurance(11)
  • boat insurance(8)
  • workers compensation(8)
  • insurance claims(8)
  • liability insurance(7)
  • flood insurance(6)
  • liability(5)
  • additional insured(5)
  • commercial liability insurance(4)
  • d&o insurance(4)
  • umbrella insurance(4)
  • hurricane preparedness(4)
  • commercial auto insurance(4)
  • renters insurance(4)
  • insurance discounts(4)
  • teen drivers(3)
  • vacation rental insurance(3)
  • business owners policy(3)
  • tria(3)
  • small business insurance(3)
  • insurance coverage(3)
  • water damage(3)
  • summer safety(3)
  • workplace safety(3)
  • commercial insurance(3)
  • commerical insurance(3)
  • covid-19(3)
  • uber(2)
  • non-owned auto insurance(2)
  • drunk driving(2)
  • employee fraud(2)
  • terrorism risk insurance(2)
  • business owners insurance(2)
  • insurance liability(2)
  • freezing pipes(2)
  • halloween safety(2)
  • auto accident scams(2)
  • holiday safety(2)
  • natural disasters(2)
  • contractors(2)
  • moving(2)
  • dog liability insurance(2)
  • forced-placed insurance(2)
  • claims process(2)
  • buisiness insurance(2)
  • general liability(2)

View Mobile Version
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Carriers
logo, company name
text, logo
Carriers
logo
icon
logo, company name
PIA

Resources

Home About Us Get a Quote Customer Service Contact Us
a drawing of a face

Contact Us

icon
  • 4040 W Newberry Road Suite 950
  • Gainesville, FL 32607
  • Office: 352.332.0180
  • Fax: 352.378.5820
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
Powered by Insurance Website Builder