Safety Tips for Truck Drivers to Avoid Accidents, Crime and Other Perils

Truck driving can be a dangerous business. First, you have the usual risks that come with operating a large vehicle along endless miles of highway. Then, you have the recent national rise in violent crime that’s also come to impact the trucking industry. Truck drivers have been robbed, attacked and even shot in recent months. 

So here are a few tips that can help keep you safe whether you are in motion or not. 

Take Care of the Trucker 

Since you are responsible for the safety of yourself, your rig and your cargo, make sure you are at your best. Eat right. Get plenty of rest. Exercise as you can. You are the single best safety tool in the entire trucking industry. Speaking of exercise… 

Exercise Situational Awareness 

The best way to avoid a problem is to see it coming and steer clear. Always inspect your rig when you get out of and into it. If something seems off, cautiously investigate or take other appropriate actions. Be aware of your surroundings when you stop. Also remember to look 15 seconds ahead, check your mirrors regularly, and be extra wary of blind spots. 

Try playing the game of what if? Ask yourself where something could go wrong, and get in the habit of checking those places. Where could a passenger vehicle be hiding? Where could an attacker come from? What could fail on the truck? With a little practice, this will become a reflex that will help keep you and others safe. 

Plan Your Stops 

Don’t start looking for a place to stop when you get tired. Plan ahead. Modern mapping and GPS technology allows you to plan days in advance and within a few feet of accuracy. If you are taking a long haul, decide where you will park for the night. Finds a safe parking location that is well lit and hopefully secured. At Vantage, all of our locations are well lit, fenced and have access control. We also have 24/7 video surveillance. Seek out places near your scheduled stop that are similarly equipped. 

Stop at Places with Wide Lanes and Easy Turnaround Space 

Most accidents happen when you are backing up your rig. Make your stops at places that have pull through length and plenty of turnaround space. Also make sure the lanes are wide enough to comfortably park your truck. For example, Vantage locations all have 80-foot lanes with plenty of space to pull through and turn around. 

Reserve Your Spot in Advance 

One way to avoid getting stuck in a bad spot that is too close to another truck, too close to the front, or hard to get in and out of, is to book a good spot in advance. That way you know exactly where to park.  

Vantage allows you to reserve and pay for your spot online and on your mobile device. Find a place to stop with similar features. 

Secure Your Load and Cab 

If you plan to turn in for the night, make sure your load and cab are secured. Lock everything down as well as you can. Make sure there are no valuables in sight. Utilize window shades to prevent the wrong eyes from looking in. You might also invest in a good dash camera to provide an extra set of eyes. Some models even allow you to view the live feed through your phone or mobile device. These devices can also help you on the road as an impartial observer of accidents or other incidents. 

Avoid Distractions 

Very similar to situational awareness is avoiding distractions that weaken that awareness. Don’t play on your phone while driving. Don’t get caught up in a podcast. Don’t get distracted from your main job, which is getting things from Point A to Point B safely. A whole lot of people are counting on you and your cargo. So don’t disappoint them because you saw something shiny. 

Always Be Ready to Call For Help 

Don’t be a hero. When you see trouble you can’t steer away from, call the cavalry. Keep your cell phone charged. Keep your radio (CB or Amateur) on and ready to use. You might consider a check in arrangement where you call someone as you start on the road and stop for the day. If they don’t get your call, they should make the call for help in case you cannot. 

Conclusion 

Vantage Truck Parking was founded to help deal with the national shortage of good truck parking. Our lots are clean, well lit, video monitored, and provide controlled access to reserved spaces. We hope you’ll park with us as part of your overall plan to stay safe out there.