Life as a truck driver is exciting, challenging, and full of responsibility. The transportation safety training experts at Great Lakes Truck Driving School in Columbia Station, OH, produce highly-skilled drivers ready to literally go the distance. Review their top do’s and don’ts as part of your ongoing transportation safety training:

Do:

Remain Alert

Stay on high alert every time you drive. Watch what is happening in front of and around you so you can react accordingly in the event of heavy traffic, accidents, or other issues. Remain aware of your blind spots, since they are where most accidents occur. Your blind spots include directly behind your truck, behind the side mirrors, and to the side of your cab.

Stay Health-Conscious

Maintain a healthy, balanced diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep—seven to eight hours a night is the standard recommendation. You are responsible for your life, your cargo, and the lives of other drivers whenever you are behind the wheel, so being well-rested, energized, and focused is vital.

Check Weather Reports & Get To Know Your Dispatcher

Check the weather report before you drive and throughout the day, so you know what to expect. Adjust to weather-related road conditions to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and pull over if it becomes necessary. Get to know your dispatcher, since they are your mile, load, and pay resource. Be friendly and accommodating, so the dispatcher knows you are reliable, and never refuse a load, as it is unprofessional.

Don’t:

Flash Your Brights

Do not flash your brights while driving because it can blind other drivers. Brights on most standard vehicles are bright, let alone those from a heavy-duty truck. Keep a distance of about ¼ of a mile between the car in front of you. 

Change Lanes Often

Avoid frequent lane changes because other vehicles are going to change lanes to get away from you. Check your mirrors and your blind spot when you do change lanes, and always put your signal on before moving over instead of during. Use the second lane from the right any time you are entering a city or town from a highway to stay away from other vehicles entering the roadway. 

Forget About Truck Maintenance

Inspect your brakes, mirrors, fluid levels, lights, flashers, tires, and horn before each drive. Brake pads wear down faster in big trucks because of the sizable loads they’re carrying. Report any potential problem to your dispatcher and company before getting behind the wheel.

Great Lakes Truck Driving School provides the transportation safety training and other essential skills truckers need for road success. The experienced staff has over 500 years of combined experience and provides Class A CDL training for commercial drivers. Student housing, travel assistance, and job placement are also offered. Call (440) 236-3436 or visit the website to learn more. Like their Facebook page for the latest news and class updates.