When it comes to auto careers, the trucking industry plays a much more integral part in our everyday lives than you might imagine. Most deliveries – whether it be produce, medical supplies or consumer goods like clothes – are made by trucking companies that specialize in the transportation of cargo. This means that there are a large number of trucks on the road at any given time, and because of their size and the long hours truckers face, it can be a challenging task to ensure that the roads are as safe as possible.
If you’ve taken a program in the many variety of trucking trades training B.C. has to offer, no doubt you’ve gone over a few things regarding transportation safety. Here are some of the ways that the industry tries to ensure safety is the number one priority.
Alert and Awake
While many truckers pride themselves on their ability to stay awake and get a delivery in on record time, the costs of falling asleep at the wheel or being too tired to react in time can be catastrophic. The number one priority should always be safety, so if a bout of sleepiness hits you or you begin to do things like driving past the exit you should have taken, it might be time to pull over and take a power nap to refresh. There’s nothing more dangerous than a tired driver who’s not alert behind the wheel of a massive vehicle. While it’s important that your delivery makes it on time, it’s much more important that it makes it there safely.
Frequent Stops
Making frequent stops not only helps to refuel your truck, but recharge your mind and body. Stopping to get a quick bite to eat or a refreshing beverage is a great way to stay alert and awake, not to mention get a better grasp on your surroundings. Stops become increasingly important if you feel like something may not be up to tip top shape with your truck, and seeing an automotive technician might be a good idea if you think it’s something that could be trouble down the road. While it may seem like an inconvenience, it might wind up saving your life.
No Distractions
While it’s pretty common knowledge that cell phones and other internet ready devices are an incredibly large distraction while driving, this can’t be emphasised enough when it comes to long-haul transportation and trucking. Anything that could be distracting, whether it’s texting, fielding a phone call or just switching through radio stations should be avoided if at all possible. Every second you’re not paying attention to the road is a chance for an accident to occur.
When it all comes down to it, keeping the roads safe and the deliveries on time isn’t a huge challenge if you’re doing the right thing, and nothing is better than good old fashioned vigilance. Be sure to check out this informative video on trucking safety, and remember: always pay attention!
