Driver safety is one of the most important topics in the industry. No matter how many years you’ve been driving semi-truck rigs, each long-distance haul is different from the last, posing new roadway threats that should be taken seriously. At Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc., we have put together a list of safety tips for commercial truck drivers on the road to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Wearing your seatbelt may seem like an obvious safety tip, but studies have shown that in 2023, one in every six semi-truck drivers still do not wear their seat belts while driving. Not only are seatbelts required by the state of Illinois for passenger and commercial drivers, but it is the easiest way to reduce injury in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, over 40% of crash-related deaths occur due to drivers not wearing seatbelts, so we’ll say it one more time – buckle up! Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. offers semi-truck repair if your seatbelt has broken and needs to be replaced.
Check Weather Reports
When driving long distances in your semi-truck, the weather might not be the first thing on your mind in the spring and summer months. However, colder weather brings ice, snow, and high winds that are hazardous for large vehicles that spend long hours on the road. To ensure your safety, it’s important to check current weather reports of the cities and states you will be visiting to watch for changing road conditions. Prepare for bad weather and take the necessary precautions with your vehicle to stay safe.
Leave Room in Front of Your Rig
Always ensure that when you’re driving long distances, you leave plenty of room in front of your vehicle to slow down. We know how frustrating it can be when traveling at 55 MPH and small vehicles cruising at 65 or 70 MPH. The last thing you want to do is ride too close to a vehicle in front of you and be unable to stop safely. This ‘buffer zone’ protects you and your rig and everyone else on the road. To ensure your brakes are working effectively, schedule an inspection and brake replacement at Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. in Decatur, IL for your vehicle maintenance.
Keep Lane Changes to a Minimum
When operating your semi-truck on long-distance hauls, a great safety tip to keep in mind is minimizing the number of times you change lanes. Smaller vehicles will dodge in and out of lanes much faster than your rig can move, making it unsafe to continuously switch from the right to left lanes during your trip. The odds of an accident increase each time you move your vehicle into a new lane; however, if you must do so, Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. recommends staying in the second lane from the right to avoid merging vehicles. If your rig needs immediate repair, our shop in Decatur, IL specializes in commercial vehicle repair.
Use a Trucker’s GPS
Suppose your rig doesn’t already have a GPS system installed. In that case, it’s important to invest in a semi-truck-designed GPS to show vital road information like upcoming exits, lane changes, traffic reports, and more. These systems can be pricy but are well worth the money when traveling long distances in your truck. Using Google Maps or other downloaded travel systems cannot always be reliable and relevant to the size of your vehicle. To learn more about GPS installation for your truck, contact Decatur Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. at 217.422.7179.
