We talked about semi-truck accidents in our last blog post so let’s talk now about how to avoid them. You learned trucker safety in truck driver school, but some things bear repeating – just as a friendly reminder. Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair supports truckers. We work on their rigs and know how complex these amazing machines are. We want you to stay safe on the road and we can help with maintenance. You have to do the rest. Here are some tips to help you.
Don’t Be Foolish
Common sense prevents accidents so always make sure you tap into yours when you step into your rig. Fasten your seatbelt even on short trips and turn off your cell phone unless you use need it for work. Cell phones distract drivers even when they aren’t in their hands with notification sounds and calls. Don’t be foolish and talk or text while driving, especially in a big rig that is much harder to control.
Stay Healthy
Make sure you eat plenty of healthy food while on the road because fast food makes you drowsy. Foods that are high in fat and sugar leave you feeling sluggish and affect your response time. Avoid alcohol and drugs while driving, too. Even a beer before you go to sleep at night can make driving the next day dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol reduces sleep rather than enhances it.
Be Aware of Your Route
Even if you drive the same route each week be aware of accidents, construction, and weather. Rather than put yourself in a dangerous situation and drive through a predicted ice storm, take a different route. Be aware of safe places to stop and rest when you need it, as well as eateries that offer healthy snacks to keep your energy up throughout the day.
Honor Your Space Cushion
You can’t control what other drivers do but you can honor your truck’s space cushion. Don’t tailgate drivers in front of you, be aware of drivers behind you, and try to avoid drivers on both sides of you by staying in the far right lane at all times. Also, take into account how your space cushion changes with each load so you know you’re always allowing for enough space around your rig.
Finally, keep your rig operating at its best with preventative maintenance at Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair in Eugene, OR. We are a full-service semi-truck maintenance and repair shop, so call us today for an inspection prior to your next run.