You can imagine the fear and trepidation of driving in adverse conditions, I imagine, even in a small sedan. You’re in a steel contraption going anywhere between 30 to 60 MPH, and you’re made of flesh and bone. Bad things can happen. Bad things do happen. As you review a lot of the statistics over the past few years, namely in 2010 as AAA reports, in 1 year, a documented over 5 millions vehicle crashes had occurred, resulting in 33,000 deaths.
That’s a lot of numbers to throw around, but let’s put this in perspective for you: that’s about 90 deaths a day. Deaths that shouldn’t have to happen. Deaths that could easily be prevented.
When It Comes to Trucking Companies, Those Figures Mean a Lot
Highway safety is even more crucial for semi-truck drivers and logistics companies given the increased risk of an enormous amount of possibilities –
- Highway Hypnosis
- Blind Spot Problems
- Stability Control
- Driver Fatigue
- Hydroplaning
The dangers practically triple – perhaps quadruple – when driving a semi. Lighter vehicles can be dangerous enough – driving with any of these conditions in a semi can prove to be catastrophic if not careful to really bear in mind the safety precautions.
Minding Highway Safety Protects Your Lives – and Your Reputation
This mantra serves the logistics company tremendously. If you’re a citizen driving in a regular residential vehicle, that’s one thing; keeping highway safety in mind honestly protects your life. If you’re a highway trucker, though, minding highway safety not only protects your life – but the lives of others, and the reputation of the company you work for!
This is particularly relevant in the case of other drivers, monitoring semi-trucks on the road and exercising the utmost caution in everything from following one to passing one on the road. Leave enough space in between you and the semi, for instance – at least a car length per 10-MPH increment. In other words, never tailgate!
Additionally, you must make it a point to be mindful of tractor trailers. The additional space can make it extremely difficult for a trucker to gauge the distance, especially when concerning blind spots. If at all possible, stay out of those blind spots.
Let’s also be blatantly honest that seat belts communicate that much more of an imperative – for residential car driver and semi-truck driver alike. Many might think those belts are overrated up until viewing the statistics from AAA stating that in the year of 2010, seat belts actually prevented well over 12K deaths on the road. Take that 33,000 deaths total in that same year and tack on the 12,000; the number obviously doesn’t look any better.
Not many know about electronic stability control, though: that’s an important feature promoting safety in a way many don’t realize. When in a fierce accident, and you’re worried about tipping over, believe it or not, your vehicle has this feature, preventing the rollover and keeping you right side up. The same applies to tractor trailers, would prove to be even more disastrous out in the highway if you see one careening toward you on its side.
Of course, airbags are crucial; they always have been. Did you know, though, that the “side” airbags are just as important? Head-on collisions can prove to be life-threatening, yes, but when you see a potential rollover occurring out on the road, causing a massive domino effect, the one thing that could save the lives of countless drivers out there is the all-important but mostly forgotten side airbag.
Here’s another important tip (and many of you corporate workhorses might not like it so much): don’t speed. Don’t even think of going 5 MPH above. Why? You’re technically not making any good time at all, as evidenced by statistics AAA had gathered regarding a vehicle going 75 MPH in a 55-MPH zone for a 30-mile trip: that driver’s literally only saving 9 minutes of driving. That’s it. Not much of an ROI in exchange for risking road collisions, don’t you think?
Lastly, cruise control may be a convenience, but out there on the wet highway, it can be the worst decision to make. Lay off the cruise, keep an eye on the distance between you and that tractor trailer, and you minimize the prospect of an accident. Know that sometimes the skid or hydroplane is inevitable, but when you see that semi start to fishtail, you better be at some great distance – for your sake as well as the truck driver’s sake.
Highway Safety Is Big Business – for You and Logistics Companies
We take it seriously. You should as well. Always remember the tips you’ve learned in driver’s education, for sure – but if you can, go the extra mile and achieve above and beyond the expectation. Treat a trip on the highway with numerous semi-trucks in tow around you as an opportunity for you to get into some serious trouble if you’re not careful.
Accidents happen – but when it involves a semi-truck, that accident can cause repercussions lasting potentially a lifetime. Practice safety. Do what you can to minimize the chances, benefit our truck drivers while they do their job, check your blind spot at all times, wear that seat belt, and always show your appreciation for those who care about being careful.