While many people cherish the warmth of the holiday season, truckers are on the road, heading home to celebrate with their families. In the midst of the cozy and snowy festivities, it’s important to remember that roughly 13% of truck accidents occur due to adverse weather conditions.
As the supply chain surges with holiday shipments, transportation companies deploy more trucks to meet the heightened demand. Prioritizing the safety of our truckers, we’ve compiled some essential tips and tricks to ensure they reach their destinations safely.
Tips for a Safe Journey Home This Holiday Season
1. Plan Your Travel
Strategic planning helps avoid bottlenecks, traffic jams, and delays and promotes safer driving. Be prepared for the best travel times, routes, potential roadblocks, delivery schedules, and unpredictable weather conditions, which can pose challenges during the holidays.
2. Inspect Your Truck
Prioritize a thorough truck inspection, checking brakes, steering, windshields, wipers, fuel levels, lights, coupling, exhaust systems, tires, rims, and more. Promptly address any faults you discover during the inspection, as even minor issues can lead to major disasters on the road.
3. Prepare for Long-Distance Travel
Ensure you’re ready for a long-haul journey by checking all the necessary boxes. From windshield fluid levels to radiator and cooling system checks, meticulous preparation helps guarantee a safe trip, so you can fully enjoy your time with family.
4. Buckle Up
Seatbelts are non-negotiable. Your safety and the safety of others depend on it. Accidents can have devastating consequences if you’re ejected from your vehicle. It’s a minor inconvenience compared to the alternative.
5. No Cell Phones
Distracted driving, particularly cell phone use, has tragically claimed numerous lives. According to the FMCSA, cell phone usage is a significant factor in many truck accidents. Keep your focus on the road, not your phone.
6. Adapt to Winter Weather
In winter, icy and snowy roads reduce tire traction. Drive cautiously and at slower speeds during adverse weather conditions. It’s far better to arrive late and safely enjoy the holiday season than to risk an accident due to haste.
Safely Home for the Holidays
While you can’t control the weather or your schedule, you can control your actions. Stay vigilant, prioritize safety, and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Truck drivers should exercise defensive driving practices, understanding that family and cargo can wait, but safety cannot. Have a safe journey!