Truck drivers face constant danger from other motorists, harsh weather conditions and fatigue.
Truck drivers must withstand the dangers of road, exercising caution with motorist, watching speed limits, maintaining appropriate cargo weight limits and driving safely during extreme weather conditions. A truck driver's safety is important to the trucking company he may work for, the motorist on the road and the cargo within the truck. Failure to exercise proper safety tips can prove hazardous to both truckers and motorist.
Avoid Fatigue
Truckers are driving for the majority of their time, and it is imperative that truckers take breaks to avoid fatigue. More importantly, both state and federal laws require that truckers take mandatory breaks to avoid accidents and dangerous driving conditions for drivers. According to the Federal Motorist Carrier Safety Administration, truck drivers driving across interstate highways must oblige by the regulations of limiting their drive time to no more than 11 consecutive hours. Since FMCSA laws apply only to truckers driving on across states, each state has implemented hours-of-service regulations similar to the FMCSA. Drivers should take appropriate breaks to avoid fatigue and fines.
Follow State and Federal Weight Limits
All states establish the maximum gross weight a truck may contain, going beyond the limit can cause safety hazard for drivers and truckers alike. However, truckers should note the federal regulations and state regulations for size and weight of their trucks as these regulations differ. Checking the weight of a truck at designated weight stations within a state will help drivers avoid infractions and maintain road safety for drivers.
Check Brakes Often
A truck's brakes provide defense against preventing accidents and maintaing driver and trucker's safety. All trucks must have working breaks for all wheels, expect for truckers manufactured before July 1980. Each truck should have working gauges to inform truckers of broken or failed brakes. Checking safety gauges and brakes often will prevent accidents while driving, but truckers should note that changes in weather conditions will affect breaking systems as well.
Properly Secure Cargo
Truckers should always check that the contents inside the truck are properly secured, ensuring no item will fall, shift, leak or blow off from inside the cargo bay. Secure any lose cargo not fully enclosed using a tarp to prevent items from falling or dropping out from the cargo area. If using a tie-down device, the device must prevent the secured item from becoming loose or unfastened.
Tags: breaks avoid, , avoid fatigue, breaks avoid fatigue, driving across