Safe Driving Practices to Adopt
Most pedestrian drivers think nothing of driving a large truck. Unless you have ever been behind the wheel of one of those trucks, it’s hard to comprehend how difficult the job can be. Truck driving requires safe driving practices to keep the roadways safe. To understand the dangers of truck driving, consider this:
- In 2012, 300,000 accidents across the nation involved large trucks
- In 2014, Time magazine named truck driving one of the most dangerous jobs on their top 10 list
So what safe driving practices should be adopted by truck drivers?
- Determine where the blind spots are located on the truck. This will help drivers avoid pedestrians and better merge and maneuver when driving. Blind spots are normally located on the side of the cab, behind the side mirrors of the cab, and directly behind the truck.
- Drivers should try to learn if construction will be taking place along their route. Construction zones can be dangerous for truck drivers because of the decrease in lane space and the sudden reductions in speed. Truck drivers should lower their speeds before approaching a work zone to ensure safety.
- Curving roadways can also be dangerous for truck drivers. Never approach a curve going full speed, no matter how quickly surrounding traffic is traveling. Approaching a curve at full speed can make your truck vulnerable to tipping.
- Load your truck evenly before you begin your travels. An evenly distributed weight load will make road travel safer, smoother, and more fuel efficient.
- Maintain your truck fleet at all times. Drivers should check their trucks for tire pressure, liquid levels, and working lights before entering the roadways. Should they notice a major issue, the truck should be brought to Middleton & Meads.
At Middleton & Meads, we are ready to help maintain and repair your truck fleet during your season. While many accidents can be prevented, we know that others are unavoidable. We specialize in the following repair and maintenance services:
- Frame Straightening
- Panel and Component Replacement
- Cab and Body Replacement
- Complete Truck Collision Repairs
- Custom Truck Paints
- Dent/Scratch Truck Repairs
- Window-shield Replacement
If you feel your business could benefit from Middleton & Meads’ Fleet Management service or if you have any questions, please contact Middleton & Meads by calling 410-752-5588 or click here today!
The Middleton & Meads Company, based out of Baltimore, Maryland, has a long and respected history in the transportation industry. We are a family owned and operated company through four generations, celebrating over 90 years quality of truck, bus and equipment repair and service. We work with you to provide the solutions to your transportation needs!
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