As a truck driver, you have an increased responsibility to be safe while on the road. This is especially true if you are driving an 18-wheeler carrying a heavy load of cargo. One moment of losing focus could cause a catastrophic accident, resulting in one or more fatalities. Car accidents can become expensive and may require you to take out a lawsuit loan to cover the medical expenses and other bills that may pile up. Federal and state regulations for truck drivers are strict, but they aren’t enough. By incorporating some helpful distracted driving tips, you can reduce the number of fatalities on our nation’s highways.
Common Distractions in Collisions
Do not be fooled that distracted driving relates only to texting and driving. Anything that takes your attention away from driving is an example of distracted driving. According to Smartdrive, some of the most common distractions involved in truck accidents include:
- Drinking a beverage;
- Eating food;
- Personal hygiene and grooming;
- Talking on the phone (both handheld and hands-free);
- Operating another mobile device;
- Conducting other tasks in the truck;
- Paperwork;
- Smoking; and
- Yawning.
Some of these distractions were no surprise, while others may not be things you think about impacting your driving ability. Finding ways to minimize your distractions can lead to becoming a safer driver. If you are looking for meaningful ways to change your habits, we’ve provided some useful tips to prevent distracted driving.
Don’t Eat or Drink While Driving
We understand that you get paid by the load, and you want to try and get there as quickly as possible. However, eating is one of the top reasons truck drivers are distracted in an accident. Make a habit of eating before and after your drive or pulling off somewhere safe to eat before starting to drive again.
Organize Before Your Trip
Get your paperwork ready to go ahead of time. Map out your route so you don’t have to look at the GPS frequently, and take care of personal hygiene and grooming matters before driving. Don’t try to multi-task either. Pull over if you need to take a call and go over paperwork.
Also, make sure to stow all your gear before getting on the road. You don’t want loose articles rolling around or something falling that could cause you to take your eyes off the road. If you are involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim.
Get Plenty of Rest
Driving while fatigued is a significant problem with truck drivers. You are strictly limited to the number of hours you are allowed to log for a reason. While you may need to get that load there quickly, your life and those of other people on the road are more important. If you are sleepy, don’t keep driving. Pull over and rest.
Never Use Your Phone
Whether you’re operating a passenger vehicle or an 18-wheeler truck, using your phone while driving is never a good idea. Avoid texting, calling, receiving calls, etc. If you can, avoid using a GPS on your phone, so you are less tempted. If you have the feature on your phone, put it on
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