When you’re on the road safety should always come first especially when you’re driving a large vehicle such as a truck or lorry. Being a professional driver is a lot of responsibility so having your wits about you and making cautious decisions will keep yourself and other road users safe.
Here are some top safety tips you should bear in mind when driving long distances.
Know your route
Before you set off on your journey, it’s a good idea to take a look at the route. When you know where you are going you will feel better behind the wheel and much more confident. You don’t need to know every part of the journey inside out, but having a glance at the route can put you at ease and therefore make you drive more safely.
Don’t exceed long driving hours
Truck drivers can be on the road for hours, driving from one end of the country to another. However, the trip should not be completed without regular breaks. After 4.5 hours of driving, you must take a 45-minute break but you can split this as long as the first break is at least 15 minutes long and the second break is 30 minutes or more. Drivers also require 11 hours of uninterrupted rest per 24 hours. Driving while tired is very dangerous, so never drive without the right amount of rest.
Keep your eyes on the road
When driving long distances it’s easy to lose concentration, but it only takes a few seconds for an accident to occur. Always keep your eyes on the road at all times. Keep handheld devices out of sight or safely mounted if they are being used hands-free so you aren’t distracted. You must be conscious of what’s going on around you. Just because you’re being safe doesn’t mean that everyone around you has the same idea.
At Transcare, based in Derbyshire, we offer professional maintenance and repairs for your fleet of vehicles. Safety should be your top priority, so as well as ensuring that your staff are being safe on the road you need to take care of your trucks too. Avoid unplanned problems today, get in touch and find out more about our maintenance services.
