Without truckers, many businesses would go without vital supplies. They put many miles on their rigs each day while hauling heavy loads. This can mean driving long hours regularly.
When you factor in the time spent on the road, it’s no wonder why safety is a top priority for truck drivers. Let’s look at how truckers can use best practices to make the most of their driving.
Keep Roads Safe
One of the most important reasons why safety is a top priority for truck drivers is to keep the roads safe. Every day, we witness distracted drivers when glancing at others at stoplights or in traffic. Some folks have the bad habit of texting and driving, which, according to the NHTSA, has claimed 3,142 lives in 2020 alone.
As truckers, we must do better and set an example for everyone on the road. Practicing safe driving saves lives and allows us to work more efficiently.
In addition to following the rules of the road and safety training, ensure you keep your CDL current. If your trips take you north out of the United States, ensure you have a Canadian CDL, too. Driving with an expired license can result in fines and potentially a revoked license.
Practice Routine Maintenance
We recommend practicing routine maintenance on your rig to minimize accidents on the road. This will help you keep yourself and other folks on the road safe. Best practices also allow your rig to run for many years. Some important areas to watch out for include:
- Brakes
- Alternators
- Airlines
- Hoses
- Wiring
Your truck’s owner’s manual can provide some good guidelines on how often to check the mechanical features of your truck. You should also pay attention to other common maintenance routines, such as getting an oil change every 25,000 miles or so, depending on the freight you haul.
Advance Your Career
Keeping the roads safe and taking care of your truck creates more opportunities. Whether you’re an owner-operator or work for a company, people will want to hire a truck driver who practices safe driving. This will lead to you bringing in more income, and you can take plenty of pride in doing top-notch work.
Star Fleet Trucking is interested in your safe driving. If you are actively searching for owner-operator work as an independent contractor, we will help streamline the process. Contact us today to see how you can advance your career.