4 Ways To Increase Personal Security As A Truck Driver
Truck driving requires a lot of time and patience. Most shifts consist of long hours, which can make you tired and reduces your performance. While out on the road, it is essential to be safe and secure at all times. Being safe on the road isn’t just essential for your health and well-being. Your safety directly impacts other motorists on the road, as well as yours.
For more on the best ways to increase your personal security, keep reading.
Park In Secure Locations
A truck driver will always need to park their vehicle somewhere overnight. Whether that be near your home or in the companies car park, it is essential it is safe and secure to avoid damage and theft.
If you need help with finding high-security trucking locations, there are resources online or simply ask your company for guidance. Not only will it improve the security of the truck, but it will make your personal security safer.
Maintain Your Truck
Hand-in-hand with increasing driver safety through maintenance is using thorough vehicle inspections to ensure all trucks are safe before drivers start driving. While pre-trip and post-trip inspections are essential, not just any inspection will do. To protect the safety of your drivers, use tools and measures that ensure all inspections are thorough and your truck is safe.
Keep your workspace safe and regularly clean your truck and cabin so that it free from chemicals and germs. Treat it like you would your personal car and attain its cleanliness and hygiene.
Have Emergency Tools
Road conditions can be unpredictable, especially for long-haul drivers working long hours across many regions or states. The two conditions most likely to impact the safety of drivers on the road are traffic and bad weather. Bumper-to-bumper traffic causes vehicles to constantly stop and go, which increases the likelihood of accidents.
Bad weather conditions—like snow, ice, hail, or rain—can impact a driver’s visibility or can cause roads to become slippery, all of which contribute to a greater chance of an accident. Thus, having an emergency kit with mechanical tools and first aid will help you in the case of an accident or issue.
Reduce Distractions
Distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents for truck drivers. Distracted driving is anything that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road or their hands off the steering wheel.
Distractions can range from eating lunch while driving to turning out the window to stare at a billboard. But the most common form of distracted driving is cellphone usage, in particular, texting while driving. Remove any distractions from your cabin space, such as phones, objects, or clutter, to make your driving safer.