• Home
    • The Blog
  • Become a Truck Driver
    • Thinking of Becoming a Truck Driver?
    • Getting a CDL License
    • Truck Driving Jobs Guide
    • Trucking Company Guide
    • Trucker Life
  • CDL Training
    • Paid CDL Training
    • CDL Schools
    • Professional Driving Skills + Knowledge
  • Owner Operator
  • Just Trucks
  • Book a Consultation Now!

Smart Trucking

The Smart Trucking Survival Guide for the Trucker

Eye-Opening Truck Driving Safety Tips That Will Save Lives

November 11, 2019 By Catherine MacMillan

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read the full disclosure policy, which is pretty dull, but here it is.
252shares
  • 232

Big Rig on the Highway

There are some highly critical things a professional truck driver should be watching for when driving a tractor trailer. Their attention must be focused on their  driving and on the surroundings.

Driving a big rig is an important job. It takes the driver’s full attention to do it safely and well.

Keep your full attention focused on what you’re doing, where you’re going, what’s going on around you. Give your complete focus and pay full attention to your job and you’ll do well at it.

Related > Truck Driver Skills: Tips, Tricks + Step By Step Instruction

Here are some critical yet simple to implement safety tips to follow, for the professional truck driver.

What Truckers Should Be Watching – Truck Driving Safety

  1. Look ahead.

Always look as far ahead down the road as you possibly can. Try to anticipate trouble.

Watch for cars going sideways, merging onto the highway from ramps, and anything unusual going on.

Always keep in mind, that whatever is ahead on the road, is a potential problem to deal with. Be prepared for this.

  1. Look for an escape route.

When driving, I watch for an escape route from any potential trouble.

I constantly check to the left and the right of my truck. Then, if a car turns sideways in front of me, I know I can move quickly out of the way, if necessary, as I’ve already looked and I know there’s nothing beside me.

Keep a constant visual check all around the vehicle. Keep your eye on everything going on around you.

Then, when necessary, you’re aware of an escape route if needed.

  1. Maintain a safety circle.

Leave plenty of space in front of the vehicle is one of the most important truck driving safety guidelines.

This practice gives the driver the best visibility.

Also, leave a nice big cushion of room all the way around the vehicle whenever possible.

I don’t like to be tucked in among the cars in traffic. If  it becomes necessary to change lanes or move, there might be another vehicle sitting in your blind spot that you haven’t noticed.

It’s always better to keep yourself in a wide open area and in the clear.

This can be very difficult to do when in heavy traffic. There will be cars cutting in front of your truck constantly. When this happens, I slow down, so they can go ahead of me.

Then, I’ve always got a nice, big safe operating distance in front of my truck. I don’t like cars close to me, especially out in front. They are so unpredictable. If they do something stupid, it’s critical there’s some time to react. If the car is too close to your truck, there won’t be sufficient time to react.

Creating the safety circle helps to keep everyone safe.

  1. Check your mirrors often.

Always be aware of what’s going on all around the vehicle.

Check the blind spots. Truckers should be constantly checking their mirrors to keep an eye on the traffic around them.

Also keep a close eye on the trailer.

Keep an eye out for a flat tire, smoke emerging from underneath the trailer.

  1.  Scan all gauges.

I like to scan my gauges constantly. The gauges are indicators of potential mechanical trouble. Sometimes the simplest things can cause big problems.

Check your fuel level and that electrical systems are charging. Check for overheating. Some trucking companies cut costs by eliminating the extra gauges, which is not a good idea.

The gauges are not only indicators and monitors of various truck functions but they are also safety monitors.

  1. Glance at the GPS.

I usually  run with the GPS turned on, particularly when I’m not familiar with the area.

The GPS will give me information regarding important things such as scales coming up, for instance. My GPS will give me such information like what lane I should be in and the distance to my exit ramp.

This allows me to plan far ahead of time, that it’s necessary to change lanes. They are useful particularly when a driver is delivering to  a destination for the first time.

Although, not to be depended on, the GPS can be a handy working tool.

  1. Weather and temperature.

Especially driving in the winter months and shoulder seasons, I pay close attention to the outside temperature and the weather around me.

I have an outside temperature gauge mounted for this purpose. I think most trucks should have such a device. A truck driver needs to know critical information such as when a wet surface is turning to ice.

  1. Watch for low bridges and low wires.

When looking ahead, I especially look for low bridges and low hanging wires, especially when driving in urban areas.

Many a city driver, has peeled the roof from a truck and trailer unnecessarily.

Safety Trumps All

I’ve said it many times over. As a professional driver, safety should ALWAYS be first and foremost on your mind. Your decisions should reflect this.

Driving a tractor trailer is a huge responsibility.

Truckers should be at their best at all times behind the wheel, and keep a sharp eye on their surroundings, to protect the driving public and themselves from harm.

8 CRITICAL THINGS EVERY TRUCKER SHOULD BE WATCHING

MORE ARTICLES

  • 9 Critical Things Truckers Should Know About Tailgating
  •  CDL Truck Driver Skills – Tips, Tricks + Knowledge to Kick Your CDL Skills Up a Notch!
  • 9 Things Truckers Should Know About Dealing With Dangerous Weather
  • 7 Truck Driver Accident Prevention Tips That Really Work

Filed Under: Truck Driver Skills

Recent Articles

  • Gear Shifter in Tractor TrailerHow To Shift An 18 Speed Transmission Like a Pro
    Video and instructional guide to shifting an 18 speed transmission, by a 42 year experienced truck driver. Tips and tricks to help with the learning process of driving a big rig. […]
  • Swift Transportation Training + Job GuideSwift Transportation Training School + Jobs | A Paid CDL Training Guide
    A complete guide to Swift Transportation Training School + working for Swift post training. Learn if Swift Paid training is right for you. […]
  • Truckers Can Avoid Stupid Accidents - Big Rig Rolled on its side7 Accident Prevention Tips For Truck Drivers (That Really Work)
    We give 7 easy to implement truck driver accident prevention tips. They are only effective if you abide by these simple to follow guidelines! […]
  • The driver at the wheel of the truckTruck Driving Schools in Texas|CDL Training Options
    Truck driving schools in Texas are plentiful. Paid CDL training, community college programs, private CDL schools, grants + financing options. […]
  • Truck driver working on truckCompany Paid CDL Training With Schneider Trucking School + Schneider National
    Schneider Trucking School + Company offer 2 forms of paid CDL training, with post training jobs. Maybe Schneider could be right for you. […]
  • Tightening Tire Chains on Big RigChaining Up a Big Rig Truck – A Trucker’s Quick Guide
    A step by step demonstration for chaining up a big rig truck, with photos and video, by a 42 year experienced truck driver. […]

Search This Site

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Our Latest Articles

  • How To Shift An 18 Speed Transmission Like a Pro
  • Swift Transportation Training School + Jobs | A Paid CDL Training Guide
  • 7 Accident Prevention Tips For Truck Drivers (That Really Work)
  • Truck Driving Schools in Texas|CDL Training Options
COPYRIGHT 2012-2021, SMART TRUCKING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PLEASE NOTE: This site contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product or service links on this site, we may receive commissions if you purchase something. Please note: we would not recommend any product/service we would not use ourselves. Learn more...

Home   |    Affiliates & Disclosures   |   Privacy   |    Advertising   |   Disclaimer   |   Contact   |   Who We Are   | Terms + Conditions   | Sponsorships
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT