5 Things Truck Drivers Should NEVER Do
Rig On Wheels Broker & Recruitment Services
Bringing new quality drivers into your company may be the most important thing you do.
Being a truck driver requires you to pay close attention to both what you're doing and what is going on around you. Driving a truck also necessitates constant awareness of and adherence to traffic safety regulations.
However, there are instances in which a truck driver, whether new or experienced, may become too complacent and relaxed while operating their vehicle and begin to disregard the precautions they need to take to ensure their own safety as well as the protection of those around them.
In the following, our truck driver recruiting agency shares tips on the five essential things that professional truck drivers should never do .
1. DRIVING TOO FAST WHEN GOING DOWN THE HILL
Truck driving can be difficult for both inexperienced and seasoned truck drivers, particularly in mountain passes and steep hills. The same is true when driving in adverse weather, such as rain when the roads are slick, snow when the roads are icy, and so forth.
When driving down a steep hill or mountain, the faster you are, the harder it will be to control your truck because it picks up speed quickly. And if you don't pay attention, the top downhill speed can make you lose control of your vehicle.
So, when driving down a steep hill, what should you do? First, you must take the hills slowly for your safety and the safety of other drivers. There is no need to drive fast, especially if you're unfamiliar with the roads.
Be mindful of your speed while accounting for your capabilities. Therefore, if you are operating at your maximum capacity, your hefty weight will propel you down the incline. You cannot slow down the truck without burning your brakes, no matter how hard you press them. So, aim to go five miles per hour slower than the posted speed limit.
Determine the equipment you should use before starting a descent. Importantly, pay attention to the warning signs, such as the steep inclines on the roadways.
NOTE about loads:? Because your truck's capacity will influence how you navigate hills, think about whether it is full or empty. If you are transporting more than 25,000 pounds, you must slow down to 35 mph, or up to 10 mph if there is no stated speed restriction.
*This tip for driving down a hill applies when the road conditions are favorable. Meanwhile, make a judgment call and reduce your speed, considering if you're empty or loaded under other road conditions.
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2. LETTING ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES (ELDs) MAKE THE DECISION ALL THE TIME
For commercial motor vehicles, electronic logging devices that link into the onboard diagnostics port of the vehicle capture data on the engine, speed, location, and kilometres driven as well as keep track of driving time and servicing hours.
What is electronic logging device truck driving? The electronic logging device rule requires that truck drivers use an ELD to prepare hours of service records of daily status.
The real-time information on this gadget is used by dispatchers, fleet managers, and truck drivers to learn about the status of the driver. This guarantees adherence to necessary inspections, industry regulations, etc.
The ELD rule aims to increase driver safety and to make tracking, managing, and sharing records of duty status data easy and manageable.
Do I need an electronic logging device? Yes, you do, but you shouldn’t let it make all the decisions for you.
Avoid trying to outrun the clock by switching lanes frequently; doing so could have disastrous effects. For instance, when truck drivers see they are approaching the end of their allotted driving time, our truck driver recruiting services advise them not to raise their pace. Instead, they must search for the closest exit from the route.
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3. DRIVING WHEN TIRED
Aside from texting while driving, driving when tired is another leading cause of truck accidents.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving causes 40,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths. It also believes that some 100,000 accidents are due to drivers dozing off at the wheel.
Truck drivers sleep less than five hours nightly , and sixty-four percent of them experience some fatigue regularly.
Unfortunately, lack of sleep can impair truck driver performance, with many claiming to nod out while operating the vehicle.
Based on studies, at least forty percent of truck crashes were a result of drowsy driving.
Truck drivers should not drive when sleepy or tired.
You are fatigued if you feel exhausted. So instead of battling exhaustion with caffeinated beverages or strong coffee, it would be beneficial if you slept.
Any of these won't work because your body will still naturally go to sleep when it is exhausted. Driving while fatigued or exhausted has several negative consequences on reaction time, attention span, and other factors that affect safe driving. Don't force yourself to do it.
·? ? ? ? Slower reaction time
·? ? ? ? Lower speed and capacity to process and absorb information
·? ? ? ? Short attention span
All of these have the potential to seriously affect traffic. Therefore, stop driving, go to bed, and resume driving only after you've had a good night's sleep.
4. DOING RECREATIONAL DRUGS
Truck driving is a sensitive role. Therefore, drivers should be 100% present – mentally, emotionally, and physically.
One of the things that our Transport Logistics firm observes based on the drivers we’ve talked with - some professional truck drivers are doing recreational drugs.
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If someone uses marijuana or other Schedule I controlled substances, they aren't physically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle. They are unable to transport it in the vehicle as well. So definitely, they're not allowed under any circumstances to be under the influence of drugs when on- or off-duty based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
Being intoxicated or having marijuana in the truck is against DOT regulations. According to the FMCSA, truck drivers can receive a one-year suspension for their first DUI conviction and up to three years if they are transporting hazardous items
5. TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
In the US, there is a serious issue with distracted driving, which includes changing the radio station, eating, and talking on the phone.
It's said that texting and driving is the worst. This is due to the fact that while it typically takes five seconds to read a text message, an accident can occur in just three.
Driving while using your phone might lead to an accident or perhaps death. Additionally, it might endanger you and other people because it diverts your attention from the road.
Professional truck drivers, as well as all other drivers, should never text while driving. This shows a lack of concern for both their safety and the public's safety.
Don’t text and drive! There is no reason to be on the phone while driving.
According to a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study, texting while driving increases collision risk or near-crash incidents 23.2 times higher than other types of driving distractions.
Texting while driving is the most dangerous of all driving distractions because it combines the three categories of distractions that increase its risks: manual, visual, and cognitive. You must remove your hands from the steering wheel (manual) in order to send or read a text while driving (cognitive).
Texting while driving accidents: Of 2.5 million accidents in the United States annually, 1.6 million are cell phone-related crashes, accounting for 64 percent. Using a mobile phone while driving accounts for 421,000 total injuries, while 25 percent of road accidents are because of texting while driving.
[Did you know it's more dangerous than drunk driving because it's six times more likely to cause a crash?]
No texting while driving: The FMCSA established the "No Texting Rule" to reduce truck accidents due to texting while driving.
You might also like: 3 Steps to Landing Your Ideal Trucking Job
What exactly is considered texting? According to the FMCSA , this activity involves entering text into or reading it from an electronic device. It includes but is not limited to emailing, SMS, and pressing more than a button to make or end a call with a mobile phone, etc.
If caught texting while driving, you can be disqualified from driving for up to 120 days or face fines up to $2,750. Meanwhile, employers can be fined up to $11,000 for allowing truck drivers to use handheld devices while driving.
Do you think we missed another essential tip that fellow truck drivers should know? Let our truck driver hiring agency know about it in the comment section. Finally, spread the word and inform other drivers on social media today!
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If you work in the trucking industry and want to share your experience, email me at [email protected]
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Driver at Metag construction Turkey company
2 年I'll keep this in mind for the future
Driver at Metag construction Turkey company
2 年Thanks for sharing us those information thank you so much