The holiday season is one of the toughest times to be on the road. Icy roads, winter blues, and cold weather are all reasons that make trucking a difficult job during peak season. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with tips to help you get home safe and sound for the holidays.
- Comply with Driver Hours of Service
A trucker cannot exceed 11 hours of driving within a 24-hour period. This law is in place to minimize potential accidents resulting from sleep deprivation. Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest, food and exercise on your off times to make sure you are as fit as possible for your on times.
- Minimize Lane Changing
Staying in your own lane is the safest bet for long hauls. Changing lanes introduces unnecessary risks as there are often icy patches in between lanes. Thirty-three percent of all crashes happen when vehicles change lanes or veer off the road. So while it might be tempting to pass, it’s best just to stay in your lane.
- Be Patient
Every driver needs to take care when driving during severe weather, but truckers have to more than most. Slow down, make sure you’re maintaining enough space between the vehicles around you, and avoid tailgating. Giving that extra space in case of an emergency stop is best for preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
Take these tips and keep up the good work this winter! On behalf of the entire US Transport family, we want to personally thank you for staying safe out there. Stay tuned for more tips and interesting articles, or contact US Transport today to see how you can join our exceptional team.
Recent Comments