16 Jan Safety Tips for Commercial Drivers
As the owner of a business, you may have employees who drive your products to and from their destinations. It is important that you always reiterate commercial driver safety to your drivers and have formal written rules for them to follow. Not only should those rules be written to protect your business, but they should be written to keep your employees safe. Here are some things to include per DMV.org:
- Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you – especially during the winter months when road conditions can be harsh.
- Always signal when turning, and be sure to signal early enough to give the vehicles in your presence enough time to react.
- Minimize lane changing. Trucks have many blind spots, so staying a course is much better than swerving between lanes.
- Check your mirrors every 10 seconds to minimize missing something in your blind spots.
- Use flashers when driving below the speed limit so vehicles around you are aware.
- Do not wait for the last minute to brake. Give yourself enough time and space to stop without fear of jackknifing.
- Turn the truck completely off (do not idle) when you will be in the cab for a prolonged period of time (during sleep times, etc.)
- Always use flashers, reflectors and/or road flares when you are pulled off the side of the road.
- Have tire chains available at all times.
- Keep fuel levels as full as possible especially during winter months.
- Remember that bridges freeze faster than road surfaces. Slow down.
- Obey all road signs, especially in construction zones.
- Take frequent breaks. Get out of the vehicle. Rest your eyes. Stretch your legs.
- Do not exceed the driver hour restrictions (more than 11 hours continuous driving) or you could risk losing your commercial license.
Call us at [astPhone] for more info on commercial driver safety and how your business insurance will cover you when you need it.
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