Safety Tips For Truck Drivers

Safe truck driving requires that the drivers are consciously driving their vehicles. As soon as you become too comfortable behind the wheel, your risks for accident increases. Make an effort to drive safely, by following posted speed limits, not driving distracted or under the influence, and putting enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Not only can the following truck driver safety tips make your own drive safer – but it could prevent truck accidents and injuries to others, too.

Truck Driver’s Personal Needs

Before you get behind the wheel, make sure you have enough rest, exercise and are eating properly. These personal needs all affect your physical and mental capacity and play an important role in your ability to drive your truck safely.

Make Sure Truck is Maintained

Many truck drivers do not own their trucks, but they still must ensure their truck is properly maintained and safe to drive. Your engine fluids should be checked, hoses, brakes, oil and tires must be inspected regularly to ensure the truck is safe for the road. Give any trailers you pick up to deliver an inspection, as well, to ensure it is safe and properly connected.

Watch Out for Other Drivers

Safely maneuvering large trucks also requires that you’re constantly aware of the other drivers on the road. Your truck will never stop as fast as the other vehicles, so keep an eye on crowded roads and reduce your speed whenever there is a possibility you will have to stop. Remember your blind spots when changing lanes or turning.

Many New York drivers will claim that they dislike to share the road with commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and big rigs – and that the larger, heavier vehicles make New York roads and interstates more dangerous places. But the truth is that all drivers must learn how to safely share the road and reduce the number of NY truck accidents.

One way that the drivers of cars, motorcycles, and pickup trucks can help reduce the number of truck accident injuries in New York is to learn how to safely pass a tractor-trailer while on a multi-lane interstate. Here are a few tips:

• Never go over the speed limit to pass a truck. Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents in New York, and speeding while passing a big rig is even more dangerous than speeding on open road. If you have to speed to pass a truck, you are better off staying behind it.
• Be aware of cross winds. All vehicles create a draft when they drive, and large truck create a more powerful draft. Especially when high winds and cross winds are involved, your car could be blown toward or away form the truck while you are passing. Be aware of winds and drafts, and don’t over-correct or over-steer if you feel your car being pulled by wind.
• Be aware of blind spots. Just because you can see a truck doesn’t mean the driver can see you. Understand that being directly behind or diagonally to the right or left of a truck might render you invisible. In some cases, a truck may try and change lanes without knowing you are there.
• Don’t cut in front of a truck too early. After you are done passing a truck, don’t cut back into the truck’s lane without giving the big rig plenty of room. Tailgating is always dangerous – but with a truck it can be very deadly. Because a truck takes a long time to come to a stop, if you stop suddenly while driving too closely in front of a truck, you could be rear-ended by a very powerful vehicle.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, seek out the assistance of our experienced attorneys by calling toll free at (914) 361 – 4888 or use our free online contact form.