Truck accidents often occur without any advance notice, and even the best-prepared drivers may sometimes have trouble avoiding them. Unfortunately, due to the size and weight of a truck, one minor mistake can end in a hugely catastrophic incident.
Due to that, it is important for truck drivers to understand the best ways to keep themselves and others safe on the road. The first way to do that is through the identification of potential risk sources.
Visibility risks
EHS Today discusses the potential causes of truck crashes. Visibility is the first thing to watch out for. Two of the biggest causes for crashes involve improper mirror checking and merging without any clear visibility. Cars also forget how hard it is for trucks to spot them and sometimes make choices that put them in danger, such as driving between two large trucks.
External pressure
Then, you have external pressure. This can include tight scheduling which encourages rushed and unsafe driving practices. Fast delivery and long days can take a toll on a driver’s ability to concentrate and judge risk. Meanwhile, these schedules often encourage truckers to ignore safety procedures and protocol, which often add a lot of time to their preparation for the day. It can also lead to sleep deprivation among the fleet, which is a leading cause of crashes even outside of the trucking industry.
Conditions on the road
Finally, you have the conditions you drive under. Heavy loads and an inability to stop on a dime work together to create many dangers for truckers. Anything from vehicles merging onto a highway to a crosswind from oncoming trucks could potentially affect the chances of a crash happening. But preparing your fleet by providing them with this information can help them see and avoid these dangers before running into them.