Drivers who disregard others’ safety risk their lives and the lives of others. If you are a truck driver in Illinois, you may worry about the unique challenges of navigating a large vehicle while responding to the decisions of other drivers.
These are among the ways truck drivers can practice road safety while performing their demanding jobs.
1. Drive defensively
Truck drivers who anticipate and respond to dangerous conditions can significantly improve safety on the roads they share with other vehicles. For example, driving defensively includes maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles that might stop suddenly, looking over the shoulder to see cars in a truck’s blind spots, and driving at safe speeds.
2. Report vehicle concerns
Before starting a road trip, truck drivers should take an inventory of their trucks’ required safety equipment, including first aid kits, emergency flares, water supplies and fire extinguishers. It is also essential to note any unusual vehicle problems and report them to the trucking company for repair before a large and heavy vehicle returns to the road.
3. Avoid distractions
Truck drivers should remain vigilant about road conditions requiring their focus and concentration. Although driving for hours over long distances can be mundane or lonely, avoiding distracting activities such as using a cell phone, drugs and alcohol or wearing headphones is essential for safety.
4. Take regular breaks
Truck driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents but is avoidable when drivers take periodic rest breaks to prevent falling asleep at the wheel. Meal breaks that provide a respite from driving can also restore alertness and energy levels.
Truck-related accidents can have devastating consequences, and assigning fault to a driver or trucking company requires persistence and a thorough understanding of Illinois’s comparative negligence laws.