Essential defensive driving tips for truck drivers

Keeping drivers safe on the road is essential for their health and well-being. But it is also vital as their safety directly impacts other motorists on the road.?

By improving drivers' road safety, you ensure protection. But also reduce costs associated with accidents, claim payouts, and rises in insurance premiums.?

The good news is that you can enhance your truck drivers' safety by creating a work culture that actively teaches and rewards the safest drivers.?

One way to keep truck drivers safe is to encourage them to practice defensive driving.

Defensive driving is a form of driving that encourages truckers to consistently have their eyes peeled for potential hazards and changes in road conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce the risk of fatal crashes and injuries by anticipating potentially dangerous situations and making safe, informed driving decisions. Defensive driving techniques make drivers less likely to be involved in accidents.

Here are a few defensive driving strategies and practices to encourage your drivers to use:

• Watch out for blind spots

For drivers who operate large trucks, it can be challenging to notice cars behind or even next to their vehicle. A blind spot is an area a driver cannot directly see around a vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA ), over 840,000 accidents yearly are caused by blind spots. Most of these accidents occur when drivers are changing lanes.?

Ensure you encourage drivers to look over their shoulders and out the windows when changing lanes. Also, urge them to leave plenty of room around their vehicles when merging.

• Practice the three-second rule

In relation to avoiding forward and rear collisions, a best practice is for drivers to follow the three-second rule to help ensure a safe distance between vehicles. This rule states that truck drivers should let three full seconds pass between the time the car in front of them reaches a particular spot on the road and the time it takes the truck driver to get to that same point. If it is raining or windy, drivers should increase this time to five seconds. If the roads are icy, drivers should increase the follow time to 10 seconds.

• Be prepared for emergencies

When driving, road conditions can rapidly change. Encourage your drivers to be prepared for emergencies like poor driving conditions or breakdowns. Always stock essentials that may be required should a driver need to pull in and wait long periods for repairs. Essentials should include water, snacks, a first aid kit, a change of clothes, and blankets.

• Slow down?

Drivers should always obey the speed limit. However, teaching your drivers to slow down in response to road conditions, including poor weather and limited visibility, is also essential. Slowing down offers drivers additional time to respond to sudden changes, like black ice. Slowing down can prevent accidents or decrease the impact and severity if an accident does occur.